Community Corner
Worcester County Gun Buyback Program This Weekend
More than 4,000 guns have been turned in since 2002 when the program started in the City of Worcester.
WORCESTER, MA — The 23rd Annual Guns to Gardens program is coming up with several events around the area Saturday.
More than 4,000 guns have been turned in since 2002 when the program started in the City of Worcester.
The program welcomes citizens of all Worcester County communities to voluntarily turn in unwanted firearms to participating police departments in Fitchburg, Northborough, Milford, Southbridge, Worcester or City Welding & Fabrication located at 10 Ararat St. in Worcester where owners can watch their weapon be destroyed.
Those who turn in firearms will receive gift cards in the amount of $50 for a rifle, $100 for a pistol, and $150 for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon. Free gun locks are also available, even for those not turning in a firearm, and replica guns will be accepted.
“With this program, we’re aiming to get unwanted and unsecured guns out of homes to avoid the potential tragic loss of life that can occur,” Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said in a statement. “These guns pose a risk of theft, misuse, and tragedy. By participating in the Guns to Gardens buyback program, we are reducing the chance of these guns being involved in accidents or violence. This program helps save lives and prevent the high costs associated with treating gunshot victims. Reducing gun-related tragedies in our communities benefits us all."
Early praised Dr. Michael Hirsh, medical director of Worcester’s Division of Public Health, for his continued gun safety advocacy and for starting the gun buyback program.
“An unsecured weapon in the home is a public health danger that leads to more frequent homicides, burglaries, lethal domestic violence, accidental shootings, and suicide in the home,” Hirsh said in a statement. “Please honor the memories of all our citizens, young and old, harmed by gun violence by bringing in your unwanted/unsecured weapon(s), unloaded please.”
In recent years, Hirsh spearheaded a program to turn the destroyed weapons from the buyback program into garden tools to be used in the UMass community garden. The garden is maintained by members of the UMass community and the produce is donated to those in need.
Residents should bring unloaded weapons wrapped or in a bag. Ammunition will also be accepted but should be separately bagged. Participants are reminded to treat all firearms as though they are loaded and dangerous.
Firearms can be turned in at the following locations during the specified hours on Saturday, Dec. 14:
- Fitchburg Police Department: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Northborough Police Department: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Milford Police Department: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Southbridge Police Department, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Worcester Police Department: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- City Welding & Fabrication: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Guns to Gardens is sponsored by the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, UMass Memorial Medical Center, the City of Worcester, the Worcester Police Department, and the Worcester Department of Public Health.
