WORCESTER, MA — Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. is encouraging residents to participate in the 23rd annual “Guns to Gardens” gun buyback program on Saturday, December 14, to safely dispose of unwanted firearms and help reduce gun-related tragedies.
Since its inception in 2002, the program has led to the collection of more than 4,000 firearms, preventing potential theft, misuse, and accidents, according to officials. Residents from across Worcester County can voluntarily turn in firearms at police departments in Fitchburg, Northborough, Milford, Southbridge, and Worcester, or at City Welding & Fabrication on Ararat Street in Worcester.
Participants will receive gift cards in exchange for their firearms: $50 for rifles, $100 for pistols, and $150 for automatic or semi-automatic weapons. Free gun locks are also available, and replica firearms and ammunition will be accepted. At City Welding & Fabrication, residents can watch their firearms be destroyed on-site, with the resulting metal repurposed into garden tools for the UMass community garden.
“With this program, we’re aiming to get unwanted and unsecured guns out of homes to avoid the potential tragic loss of life that can occur,” District Attorney Early said. “This program helps save lives and prevents gun-related tragedies in our communities.”
Dr. Michael Hirsh, medical director of Worcester’s Division of Public Health, emphasized the public health risks of unsecured firearms. “An unsecured weapon in the home is a public health danger that leads to more frequent homicides, burglaries, lethal domestic violence, accidental shootings, and suicide,” he said.
Residents turning in firearms are reminded to bring them unloaded and securely wrapped or bagged, with ammunition separately bagged. The DA’s office has relaxed enforcement of firearm possession laws for participants, ensuring a safe and anonymous process.