Turn In Guns for Goods: 15th Annual Program Turns Firearms Into Gift Cards

NORTHBOROUGH, MA — Get unwanted and unsecured guns out of the house in a safe way.

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. is urging people to take advantage of the 15th annual Goods for Guns program by turning in unwanted firearms on Saturday at participating police departments, including Northborough (Northborough residents, though, should bring firearms to the Worcester PD - see below).

Since 2002, when the program began, nearly 3,000 guns have been turned in, with the program expanding to more communities. Fitchburg, Leominster and Dudley are participating for the first time this year.

Those who turn in firearms will receive gift cards ($25 rifle, $50 pistol, $75 semiautomatic weapon). Free trigger locks are also available, and replica guns will be accepted. Early will once again relax enforcement of the law prohibiting the carrying of firearms for people participating in the program. Residents should bring unloaded weapons in a plain paper bag. Ammunition will also be accepted, but should be separately bagged, continues the announcement. Participants are reminded to treat all firearms as though they are loaded and dangerous.

“Our goal is, and always has been, getting unwanted and unsecured guns out of the house,” Early said in an announcement. “This has benefits on so many levels. Reducing accidents and tragedies in Worcester County benefits us all.”

Dr. Michael Hirsh, medical director of Worcester’s Division of Public Health and a pediatric trauma surgeon at UMass Memorial Hospital, started the Goods for Guns program and continues gun safety advocacy.

Goods for Guns is sponsored by the District Attorney’s Office and UMass Memorial Medical Center.

Firearms can be turned in at participating police departments between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, except where noted. Participating police departments are: Worcester, Southbridge, Leicester (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Leominster, Barre, Fitchburg, Oxford (noon to 4 p.m.), Dudley (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Millbury, Grafton, Charlton (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Spencer (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), Northbridge (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Webster (9 a.m. to noon). Northborough and Westborough are also participating, but guns in those towns should be brought to Worcester PD.

Mr. Early said he was pleased to see Goods for Guns to expand to new communities.

Many area police chiefs said they were looking forward to being able to remove unwanted guns and make their communities safer.

“Every gun taken off the street is one less gun that can be used to commit a crime or accidentally end up in the hands of a child,” Grafton Chief Normand Crepeau Jr. said in a statement. “The program may be considered a tremendous success if even only one life is saved.”

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