Worcester to Host Annual "Guns 2 Gardens" Buyback on Dec. 14
Dec 14, 2024 Sat
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9 AM to 1 PM
Worcester residents will have an opportunity to turn in unwanted firearms in exchange for grocery gift cards during the annual "Guns 2 Gardens" buyback event scheduled for Saturday, December 14.The initiative, which has collected more than 4,000 guns since its inception in 2002, aims to reduce the public health risks associated with unsecured weapons in homes.Program DetailsThe collected firearms will undergo a transformation at City Welding & Fabrication on Ararat Street, where they will be repurposed into gardening tools. Dr. Michael Hirsh provided details about the process during a press conference held in downtown Worcester on Thursday."In the last three years, the statistics have shown that firearm fatality is the number one cause of death for people between the ages of 0 and 34," added Hirsh, citing data shared by UMass Memorial Health. The organization also reported that the overall gun death rate in Massachusetts increased by 18% in 2022 compared to 2013.Key DetailsDate: Saturday, December 14, 2024Location: Multiple sites including City Welding & Fabrication on Ararat StreetCompensation:$50 gift card for each rifle$100 gift card for each pistol$150 gift card for each automatic or semi-automatic weaponEligibility: Worcester County residentsAdditional Items Accepted: Non-operable guns, ammunition, and firearm accessories (no gift cards issued for these items)Requirements: All firearms must be unloaded and wrapped or contained in a bagProgram History: More than 4,000 guns collected since 2002Special Provisions: Anonymity ensured, no names asked; amnesty granted during event with no gun registration requiredPartners and SponsorsThe buyback program represents a collaborative effort among multiple organizations including the Worcester County District Attorney's Office, UMass Memorial Medical Center, the City of Worcester, the Worcester Police Department, and the Worcester Department of Public Health.Organizers emphasize the public health perspective of the initiative, noting that "an unsecured weapon in the home is a public health danger."
