NEWS RELEASE
Date: February 17, 2020
Contact: Captain Ronald Smith
Phone: (203) 230-4029
PIO#: 20-23
On February 15th the Hamden Police Department held its 1st ever “Gun Buy Back Program.” The event took place at Hamden Police Headquarters, between 10:00a.m. and 2:00p.m. The New Haven Police Department assisted in the event.
Hamden Police are happy to report that 149 firearms were turned in, two of which were classified as assault weapons. In addition, 14 pellet/bb gun/starter-type pistols were turned in to police custody. One person turned in a sword.
In exchange for the firearms, participants were provided with Amazon, American Express and Stop and Shop Gift Cards. In addition, those that possessed a valid gun permit were issued a gun lock and/or vehicle gun safe.
The purpose of this program is to provide residents and non-residents with a way to dispose of their unwanted firearms in a safe manner.
The benefits of this program include:
- Preventing unwanted firearms from being stolen and used in the commission of a crime.
- To prevent an accidental discharge of a firearm that can cause serious injury and/or death.
- To eliminate the use of a firearm for those individuals who are in despair and wish to harm themselves.
If this program helped in any way to save one person’s life, it was well worth it.
The Hamden Police Department would like to thank Yale-New Haven Hospital’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program and Injury Free Coalition for Kids of New Haven for sponsoring the event.