SO gun-toting East Lancashire folk have responded with gusto and handed over their weapons as part of a firearms amnesty.

While there's no doubting that the initiative co-ordinated by Lancashire Police will take a large number of potentially dangerous weapons off the streets, aren't we deluding ourselves if we believe that this national amnesty has given the criminal fraternity the opportunity to 'go straight'.

A figure of over 550 weapons, plus copious amounts of ammunition, is cited as being a huge success.

But before we get carried away should we not bear in mind that the sort of person who responds to a gun amnesty is the sort of person who also puts their infernal wheely bins and recycling bags out on the correct day -- the law abiding.

Somehow the idea that your average low life who sees a weapon as part of his make-up will wander up to the nearest bobby (if he could find one) or police station (during opening times of course) and slap a loaded gun on the counter is remote in the extreme.

By all means continue to have these amnesties -- it reduces the chance of weapons turning up at car boot sales, gathering dust in the attic or causing a tragic accident in the home but don't ever confuse them with crime prevention.

The only way that the criminal element who seem happy to return to the days of the Wild West will be persuaded not to use firearms is to make the penalties for possessing one so severe that they are truly prohibitive.

Never mind an amnesty, give them a long sentence behind bars.