Mexico City, Oct 29 (IANS/EFE): The Mexican government has taken more than 30,000 rifles and handguns off Mexico's streets, thanks to the "Firearms Exchange" campaign that started at the beginning of this year, the defence secretariat said.

"The results of this national campaign have been achieved because of the cooperation of state and municipal governments, as well as the efforts of businessmen; but mainly due to the commitment of citizens, who contribute to the country's safety by surrendering the firearms in their possession," the secretariat said in a statement.

A total of 30,085 rifles and handguns, 744,890 rounds of ammunition and 2,262 grenades of different types have been surrendered by the public, the secretariat said.

The weapons will be destroyed to prevent them from falling into wrong hands, the defence secretariat said.

Citizens should continue participating in the campaign "for the good of our fatherland", it said.