School Shooting Prompts Biggest Gun Buyback in Bridgeport History

The city of Bridgeport will hold a special gun buy-back event on Saturday, Dec. 22 in an effort to get dangerous weapons off the street and out of homes.

On Friday morning, Mayor Bill Finch and Police Chief Joe Gaudett will hold a news conference to announce the details.

According to a news release, nearly $100,000 has been secured from the City of Bridgeport, Bridgeport Housing Authority and private sector donors.

“Following last week’s tragedy, it has become a national priority to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals,” Mayor Bill Finch, a longtime advocate of stricter gun laws and a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, said in a news release. “Chief Gaudett and I are encouraging City residents to turn in their guns so they don’t fall into the wrong person’s hands.”

Police will offer up to $200 value for a working handgun. People turning in rifles will receive $75. A weapon determined to be an assault-type rifle will be eligible for a higher rate. More details will be released at the press conference on Friday.

“Every gun that is turned in and destroyed is a gun that can’t end up on the street in the hands of a criminal or in the hands of a young person who could injure himself or someone else,” said police Chief Joe Gaudett.

The department has a “no questions asked” policy that will allow people to turn in weapons anonymously without fear of being prosecuted for illegal gun possession. BB guns and non-working guns will be accepted but won’t be eligible a gift card. Gun dealers are not eligible to participate.

People turning in weapons must follow a precise protocol.

  1. Firearms must be delivered unloaded;
  2. Firearms must be put in a clear plastic bag and put into another container (gym bag, backpack, etc);
  3. If depositing ammunition in addition to a firearm, ammunition must be delivered in  separate bag;
  4. If transporting the firearm by car, the firearm must be transported in the trunk of the car;
  5. After the firearm is screened by officers and determined to be a working firearm, a gift card will be given;
  6. Non-operational guns, antiques firearms, BB guns and holsters will be accepted but do not qualify for a gift card.


New Haven Police will also hold a gun buy-back program over the weekend and have added a second day.
 

  1. After the firearm is screened by officers and determined to be a working firearm, a $50 gift card will be given;
  2. An additional $50 gift card will be exchanged for those firearms identified as assault weapons and/or saw-off shotguns(does not include newly sawed off for the purpose to receive extra gift cards);
  3. Non-operational guns, antiques firearms, BB guns and holsters will be accepted but do not qualify for a gift card.

The Injury Free Coalition for Kids of New Haven and Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital’s Injury Prevention Program are sponsoring the special event, which will be held on Dec. 22 and Dec. 29, at the New Haven Police Academy, 710 Sherman Parkway from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The event is open to all CT residents.

Mayor John DeStefano Jr. is also a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition.




 

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