Nearly 150 Guns Turned In At Hamden Event: Police

HAMDEN, CT — Nearly 150 firearms were turned in during the Hamden Police Department’s first-ever “Gun Buy Back Program” on Saturday, according to Capt. Ronald Smith. The New Haven Police Department assisted with the event, which took place at Hamden police headquarters.

Smith said that 149 firearms were turned in, including two that were classified as assault weapons. In addition, 14 pellet/bb gun/starter-type pistols were turned in to police custody. One person turned in a sword, according to Smith.

“In exchange for the firearms, participants were provided with Amazon, American Express and Stop and Shop Gift Cards,” Smith wrote in a news release. “In addition, those that possessed a valid gun permit were issued a gun lock and/or vehicle gun safe. The purpose of this program is to provide residents and non-residents with a way to dispose of their unwanted firearms in a safe manner.”

Police said the benefits of the program include:

- Preventing unwanted firearms from being stolen and used in the commission of a crime.

- To prevent an accidental discharge of a firearm that can cause serious injury and/or death.

- To eliminate the use of a firearm for those individuals who are in despair and wish to harm themselves.

“If this program helped in any way to save one person’s life, it was well worth it,” Smith said. “The Hamden Police Department would like to thank Yale-New Haven Hospital’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program and Injury Free Coalition for Kids of New Haven for sponsoring the event.”