Crime & Safety

After Spike in Violence, Boston Relaunches Gun Buyback Program

The BPD will give out $200 Visa gift cards to those who participate in the gun buyback program.

Photo Credit: BPD

Three people were fatally shot in Boston last week, prompting police officials to relaunch the city’s beleaguered gun buyback program.

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In a statement received by The Boston Globe, the police department said Wednesday marked the official beginning of the 2015 buyback program. The revived program will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a Monday through Friday basis.

Those who decide to return a gun must make sure it’s unloaded and deliver it a clear plastic bag. In exchange, the department will issue a $200 Visa gift card. Only working handguns will yield a gift card. Rifles and shotguns will be accepted, but no reward will be issued.

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Police say those who drop of the guns will not face prosecution for the unlawful possession of a firearm.

The buyback program had yielded just one gun since January 1, 2015.

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