Guadalajara, Spain – The Guardia Civil has destroyed 529 firearms, bladed weapons, and dangerous objects in a steel foundry in Castilla y León, a process carried out under the direct supervision of agents from the Intervención de Armas y Explosivos of the Guardia Civil Command in Guadalajara.

The collection included hunting shotguns, handguns, sport-shooting weapons, extendable batons, and other prohibited items. The destruction took place last Thursday after all required authorizations and deposit deadlines were met, as mandated by regulations.

The weapons came from police interventions—either because they were illegal or linked to crimes or administrative offenses—as well as items voluntarily surrendered by owners who no longer met the requirements to hold the necessary licenses.

These operations follow Spanish legislation and support the United Nations Programme of Action aimed at combating illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, established during the 2001 International Conference.

In Spain, the Intervenciones de Armas y Explosivos oversee legal control of weapons, ensuring compliance with the regulations. License applicants must have no criminal record and must pass theoretical and practical tests on handling and use.

When an owner loses the right to possess a weapon, the law requires it to be deactivated or destroyed. Since 2011, deactivation procedures have become more stringent, affecting all essential components to ensure the weapon cannot regain operational capability.

The Guardia Civil also carries out routine destruction of firearms and prohibited blades involved in criminal cases or infractions, or items not awarded at auction after ownership rights lapse. All such weapons are ultimately reduced to scrap through melting or similar processes, preventing any potential reuse.

These actions reinforce the Guardia Civil’s role in risk prevention, legal control of weapons access, and the fight against illicit arms trafficking and misuse in Spain.

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