Dec. 13, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241
WORCESTER —Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. is urging people to take advantage of the 16th annual Goods for Guns program by turning in unwanted firearms on Saturday at participating police departments.
More than 3,400 guns have been turned in since the program started in 2002 in Worcester. The program has expanded to 19 communities in Worcester County.
Those who turn in firearms will receive gift cards ($25 rifle or replica gun, $50 pistol, $75 semiautomatic weapon). Free trigger locks are also available. As in the past, Mr. Early will relax enforcement of the law prohibiting the carrying of firearms for people participating in the program. Residents should bring unloaded weapons in a plain paper bag.
“Our goal is, and always has been, getting unwanted and unsecured guns out of the house,” Mr. Early said. “This has benefits on so many levels. Reducing accidents and tragedies in Worcester County benefits us all.”
Mr. Early praised Dr. Michael Hirsh, medical director of Worcester’s Division of Public Health and surgeon-in-chief at UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center, for his continued gun safety advocacy and for starting the Goods for Guns program. He also thanked all of the participating police departments for their involvement in the program.
Goods for Guns is sponsored by the District Attorney’s Office and UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Firearms can be turned in at participating police departments between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday except where noted. Participating police departments are: Worcester, Auburn (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), Barre (9-1), Charlton (10-2), Dudley (9-1), Fitchburg, Grafton (10-1), Leicester (9-1), Leominster, Millbury (9-1), Northbridge (9-1), Oxford (10-2), Rutland (9-2), Southbridge, Spencer (10-2) and Webster (10-2). Northboro, Shrewsbury and Westboro are also participating, but guns in those towns should be brought to Worcester PD. There are two collection sites in Worcester, police department headquarters at Lincoln Square and the Unitarian Universalist Church, 90 Holden St.