Georgian police have arrested 14 individuals in Tbilisi and other regions of the country on charges of illegal purchase and storage of firearms and ammunition over a recent period.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, law enforcers seized pistols, two revolvers, seven firearms, two sawn-off rifles, a grenade, 1,270 cartridges, 22 magazines and 17 knives from the persons.

Both the offenders and their residential houses were searched in the effort, with eight out of the 14 individuals having previous criminal records.

The body said police departments in Tbilisi, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti were involved in the efforts, while other actions involved law enforcement in Shida Kartli as well as Kvemo Kartli and Kakheti.

The crimes are punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison.