Strathclyde Police collected the biggest haul during the amnesty

Figures released by the Scottish Executive show that the government itself handed in 140,000 rounds of ammunition during the April campaign.

The amnesty was the second since the Dunblane killings in 1996 when Thomas Hamilton broke into Dunblane Primary School and opened fire on a class in the gym.

Ministers and senior police officers voiced satisfaction that so many weapons have been surrendered during this campaign.

Our homes and streets will now be that bit safer as a result of these weapons being put out of harm's way Cathy Jamieson

The executive organised the amnesty in the wake of heightened security fears following the start of the Iraq war.

A total of 3,393 firearms were handed in, including a number of modified weapons such as sawn off shotguns.

A variety of other weapons, including a 3ft meat cleaver were also left at police stations.

The figures showed that the government handed in the largest amount of ammunition.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) handed in 140,000 rounds of ammunition which it had been stockpiling during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The amnesty was hailed by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson as a stepping stone on the way to creating a "stronger, safer Scotland".

Ms Jamieson said: "Any of these weapons would pose a threat in the wrong hands, and our homes and streets will now be that bit safer as a result of them being put out of harm's way.

"There are still too many firearms in our society - but thanks to police initiatives like this and a significant tightening of the regulations on gun ownership we have made progress.

"Reducing violent and drug-related crime is at the heart of our drive to improve public safety.

Violent crime

"Cutting the number of illegally-held weapons will also contribute to that drive."

Strathclyde Police collected the biggest haul for a single force during the recent amnesty, with 786 firearms but just 29 other weapons handed in.

Despite the rise in surrendered weapons, it was revealed by the Strathclyde force last month that violent crime had risen by 2.4% in the past year, despite an overall falling trend in crime levels.

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The force's chief constable, Willie Rae, blamed a culture of binge drinking coupled with irresponsible drinks promotions for the rise.

Grampian Police received 540 firearms and 128 other weapons, while the figures for Lothian and Borders were 509 and 41.

Spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), David Mellor, said: "All eight Scottish police forces played their part in making the firearms amnesty a success.

"It will be no longer possible for the firearms and weapons handed in to harm or frighten anyone."

The Scottish Tories welcomed the weapons amnesty result but added that a "massive" crime problem still exists.

Deputy justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said crime was at "unacceptable" levels, with violent crime up 25% since 1997, vandalism up 18% and drug crime up 37%.

The executive organised the amnesty in the wake of heightened security fears following the start of the Iraq war.

Items also handed in included sawn-off shotguns, samurai swords, WWII grenades and crossbows.