From May 7 through July 6, St. Croix residents can renew their expired firearm licenses without penalty and surrender unwanted firearms to police, the V.I. Police Department announced Thursday.

During this period, individuals with illegal, unregistered, unwanted or found firearms are encouraged to turn them over to the Police Department.

The amnesty program reduces the chance these weapons will be stolen or taken and used in a violent crime. Once handed in, the weapons will undergo forensic testing and then be scheduled for disposal.

Firearm owners with expired gun licenses can renew their licenses during the amnesty program without penalty. Persons with unregistered firearms can have them registered if they meet the qualifications to possess a gun license. Persons found with unregistered firearms after this amnesty period will be in violation, may lose their license privileges and face prosecution.

First time applicants will not be accepted during this period. Licensed gun owners can store their firearms for a specific amount of time at the Police Department.

Anyone with any information about illegal firearms is urged to call the anonymous tip line, Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS.

You can do your part to safeguard this community. For every gun taken off the streets, a life can be saved.

For more information, contact officer Karen Stout, Supervisor of the St. Croix Firearms Unit, at 712-6023 or 712-6058.

Stay tuned to Police broadcasts for a similar program initiated in the district of St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island.