For Immediate Release
Contact: Julia Keane 508-368-7226 or 774-530-1207
WORCESTER – Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. is urging participation in the 24th annual Guns to Gardens program, an opportunity for members of the community to turn in unwanted firearms at participating police departments on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
Since the program’s start in the City of Worcester in 2002, more than 4,000 guns have been voluntarily turned in across the county. This annual program encourages participants from all of Worcester County to turn in firearms at participating police department headquarters stations in Charlton, Fitchburg, Northborough, Milford, Worcester, or City Welding & Fabrication, 10 Arant Street, Worcester.
Anyone who turns in an operable firearm will receive a gift card in exchange ($50 for a rifle, $100 for a pistol, and $150 for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon). Free gun locks are also available, even if you are not turning in a firearm.
“By getting unwanted and unsecured firearms out of the house and safely disposed of, we can help prevent accidental tragedies, theft or misuse. This not only helps reduce gun-related tragedies and save lives, but also avoid the high costs of medically treating gunshot victims,” said District Attorney Early. “I commend Worcester Division of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh, who started this program, and all our local police departments for their continued efforts to advocate for gun safety and protect our communities.”
“Every gun that we can get out of homes that are not safely secured or not in an environment where it is safe to keep them at home is a win for a peaceful holiday season in the Woo,” said Dr. Hirsh.
As in the past, Mr. Early will relax law enforcement of the law prohibiting the carrying of firearms for those participating in the program. Participants may bring firearms without any registration requirement, and anonymity is guaranteed for everyone. All weapons should be brought unloaded and wrapped up or in a bag. Replica guns and ammunition will also be accepted. Ammunition should be separately bagged. Residents are reminded to treat all firearms as though they are loaded and dangerous.
Participants can watch their weapons be destroyed at the City Welding & Fabrication location. In recent years, these destroyed firearms have been turned into garden tools to be used in the UMass community garden, which is maintained by members of the UMass community and produces fresh produce that is donated to those in need.
Guns to Gardens is sponsored by the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, UMass Memorial Medical Group, the City of Worcester, the Worcester Police Department, and the Worcester Department of Public Health.
Firearms can be turned in at the following locations during the specific hours:
- Charlton Police Department from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Fitchburg Police Department from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Milford Police Department from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Northborough Police Department from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Worcester Police Department from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Worcester City Welding & Fabrication (10 Arant St., Worcester) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
