The Ministry of the Interior and UNDP Moldova on October 6 organized the destruction of the firearms that were confiscated or yielded up willingly in Moldova during the last few years, Info-Prim Neo reports. There were destroyed 2,374 arms. This is the third project implemented as part of a joint program of UNDP and the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC). The destruction of arms ensures the people's security, strengthens the national and regional capacities for controlling the use of guns, contributing thus to the country's development, said Mihail Beregoi, small arms and light weapons coordinator in Moldova. Minister of the Interior Victor Catana said the destruction of the arms helps avoid certain offenses. Nicolae Macovei, head of the Interior Ministry's public security division, said that 80 arms have been confiscated from criminals during investigations, while the rest were surrendered voluntarily. Luisa Vinton, representative of the UNDP Regional Bureau, said that over 70,000 persons died last year worldwide as a result of the use of guns, outside wars. “The arms are dangerous and cause only damage to the society. The authorities should control the use of guns through strategies and programs,” Luisa Vinton said. As many as 3,700 arms were destroyed in Moldova in 2005 and 2007.