More than 1,400 firearms were destroyed by melting on December 17. According to the General Police Inspectorate, the collection and destruction of firearms takes place once in two-three years, IPN reports.

Following the measures taken by the police, a considerable number of firearms were withdrawn from circulation. Their technical state didn’t meet the security requirements. These were either damaged, with unauthorized modifications, were kept illegally or were found without owner. They also included confiscated arms or arms yielded up voluntarily for being destroyed.

The melting process was financially supported by the South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Center (SEESAC) within the United National Development Program and took place at the Chisinau plant SA “Uzina Turnatoare ARES”.