For Immediate Release: 6/22/2015 11:07 am
Worcester, MA (June 22, 2015) - In an effort to reduce the prevalence of gun-related incidents, City Manager Edward Augustus and the City of Worcester will hold a Gun Buyback event in collaboration with UMass Memorial Medical Center and Worcester County District Attorney, Joseph Early, Jr.
The Gun Buyback will take place on Saturday, June 27th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the EMS garage at 100 Providence Street, Worcester.
"Gun safety is one of the biggest public health issues facing our community. In the United States, one in three homes with children has a gun, and well over 100,000 Americans are victims of gun violence each year. Every gun we take off the streets makes our community a safer place for everyone," said Michael P. Hirsh, M.D., Medical Director of the Worcester Division of Public Health and chief of pediatric surgery at UMass.
Gift cards for groceries will be given for each gun dropped off, in the amounts of: $25 for a long gun; $50 for a pistol or revolver; and $75 for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon.
"Any time we get an improperly stored or unwanted gun out of a home it is a success," said District Attorney Early. "It reduces the risk of an accidental shooting or suicide by gun. Any time we can reduce those numbers we are more effective in doing our jobs."
In addition to the buyback, people are invited to pick up gun locks free of charge. Gun locks will be distributed to everyone, regardless of whether they turn in a gun. The gun lock giveaway will be held in recognition of National ASK Day (June 21st), a day of awareness promoted by the Asking Saves Kids campaign, which promotes the idea of asking about unlocked guns in homes. The gun locks will be provided for by a grant from the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, whose programs are aimed at preventing injury through research, advocacy and education.
This event will also include an opportunity for people to bring expired/unused prescription medication so that they may be disposed of properly. Residents can also bring unwanted prescription drugs 24/7 to the drop-off box in the Worcester Police Department headquarters, at 9-11 Lincoln Street.
The event is open to everyone, regardless of where they live, and is sponsored by the Office of the Worcester County District Attorney, Injury Free Coalition for Kids, UMass Memorial Medical Center, the City of Worcester Police Department and the City of Worcester Division of Public Health.
