6 Montco Police Departments Hosting Gun Turn-In Events

In an effort to prevent accidental shootings in area homes, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office is teaming up with six local police departments to host gun turn-in events in September as part of "Operation Safe Home."

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele is partnering with Lower Merion, Upper Merion, Abington, Pottstown, Whitpain, and Lower Salford police departments to host the Operation Safe Home events from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 at each respective police department.

Each department will be accepting all types of unloaded firearms; handguns, rifles, and shotguns.

All firearms collected will be melter down and destroyed.

Bullets and magazines/clips will not be accepted at the events.

"Many people have both guns and children or grandchildren in their homes and are uncomfortable with that fact," Steele said in an announcement of the events. "We are making it easy to get rid of unwanted guns and make sure they are destroyed rather than being sold on."

Steel said accidental shootings in family homes are often called "family fire," and that a new ad campaign recently launched to raise awareness of "family fire" and how it can be prevented.

Watch a "family fire" PSA below.

For more information, call the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368 or any participating police department.

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