Gun Buyback Effort In Newtown, Other Communities Saturday

CONNECTICUT — Several gun control advocacy groups and other civic groups will host the first annual "Connecticut Statewide Gun Buyback and Gun Safe Giveaway Day" on Oct. 16, in which people can drop off operable guns and receive a gift card payout, organizers announced.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain or shine) at the following Connecticut police departments:

• Guilford Police Department, 400 Church St. (Anonymous, No ID, No Question Asked)
• Hartford Police Department, Location TBD (Anonymous, No ID, No Question Asked)
• Newtown Police Department, 191 S. Main St. (Anonymous, No ID, No Question Asked)
• Norwalk Police Department, 1 Monroe St. (ID required)
• Waterbury Police Department, Location TBD (Anonymous, No ID, No Question Asked)

"The gun buyback and gun safe storage giveaway day is an important community safety initiative that will help gun owners and their family members to dispose of unwanted and/or unsecured guns to help reduce the risk of homicides, suicides, unintentional shootings, domestic violence, and keep guns from getting into the wrong hands - such as children, individuals who may be facing a mental health crisis, individuals with dementia, perpetrators of domestic violence, and criminals," organizers said.

The buybacks will provide gift cards to individuals who turn in an operable firearm. (Note: Guns must be transported in the trunk of the car; and non-operable guns, BB Guns, & Ammunition are welcome, but no gift cards will be exchanged for these items)

Gift cards in the following amounts will be exchanged:

• $25: Single & Double Shot (Derringer-Style) Handguns & Any Type of Black Powder Guns
• $50: Rifles & Shotguns
• $100: Pistol & Revolver Handguns
• $200: Assault Weapons (Per CT Summary of Gun Laws. To Be Determined by Police. No Newly Sawed-Off Shotguns)

Additionally, guns must be delivered unloaded in clear plastic bags, and any ammunition must be delivered in a separate bag in the trunk of the car. COVID-19 guidelines will be strictly enforced at all locations: All participants must wear a mask and comply with all social distancing guidelines.

For gun owners who want to keep their guns but seek a responsible way to better secure their weapons, a limited supply of biometric gun safes will be provided free of charge to those with a valid gun permit.

The following organizations teamed up to launch the effort:

• 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

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a gun-free home is the safest home for children
and teens.

"Having a gun in the home doubles an individual’s risk for homicide and triples the risk of suicide, organizers said. "If guns are present in the home, they must be safely stored to help prevent firearm deaths and injuries. The voluntary gun buyback and safe firearm storage events in the participating communities will offer an opportunity for gun owners to safely remove their unwanted weapons from their homes and communities. These events will also promote gun safety and safe firearm storage."

As mentioned earlier, the buyback and safe giveaway events in Guilford, Hartford, Newtown and Waterbury are 100 percent anonymous; therefore, IDs are not required, and no questions will be asked. However, IDs will be required at the Norwalk buyback event.

In the past year, several communities in Connecticut have held successful gun buyback events:

• Guilford police collected 198 firearms, which included: 21 BB/pellet guns, 3 Derringer types, 90 handguns, 79 rifles and 5 assault weapons.
• Hartford police collected a total of 59 guns including 41 handguns, 8 rifles, 9 shotguns, and one assault rifle.
• Waterbury police collected 32 guns including 23 handguns and 9 long guns.
• Newtown police is holding its first event this year.

Other communities, corporations, hospitals, police departments, or individuals who are interested in sponsoring and/or funding a buyback and safe giveaway event are encouraged to contact Po Murray at pmurray@newtownaction.org or Kristin Song at ks@getcontrol.net for more information.