100-Plus Firearms Turned In To Newtown PD In Gun Buyback Effort

NEWTOWN, CT — More than 100 firearms were turned in to Newtown police on Saturday during the first annual Connecticut Statewide Gun Buyback and Gun Safe Giveaway Day, an effort that included five police departments around the state.

"It was a successful event," said Newtown Police Sgt. Jeff Silver in a statement. "You could tell thatmany of these firearms were old and people just did not know how to get rid of them safely. People can always contact us to dispose of unwanted firearms, but the event was helpful because it expedited the process and allowed people to remain anonymous."

The following organizations teamed up to organize Saturday's event:

• Newtown Action Alliance Foundation
• Ethan Miller Song Foundation
• Connecticut Children's Medical Center
• Saint Francis Hospital
• CT Against Gun Violence Education Fund
• Swords to Plowshares Northeast
• Wilton Quaker Meeting
• CT Violence Intervention Program
• Mothers United Against Violence
• Tears for Triumph
• Violent Crime Survivors
• Guilford Police Department
• Hartford Police Department
• Newtown Police Department
• Norwalk Police Department
• Waterbury Police Department

Gift cards of various amounts, depending on the weapon, were distributed to those who brought in guns, four of which were considered to be assault weapons by the state's definition, Silver said.

All of the confiscated firearms will be destroyed, according to officials.