Guilford police collect 123 firearms in gun buyback effort

GUILFORD — In collaboration with the statewide initiative, Guilford Police collected 123 firearms from residents during the department’s third annual gun buy-back event held on Saturday.

Police hosted a voluntary gun buy-back and safe firearm storage event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Guilford Police Department at 400 Church St.

Residents who turned in a firearm received Visa gift cards with differing values depending on the type of weapon exchanged. Individuals received $25 for a “single/double shot derringer type weapon,” $50 for a rifle/shotgun, $100 for a handgun, and $200 for an assault weapon.

In total, 123 firearms were turned in during the

event, including 70 handguns, 53 rifles/shotguns including two “assault type weapons,” eight BB/Pellet guns and other assorted ammunition.

Guilford police held the event in cooperation and collaboration with the Ethan Miller Strong Foundation, and as part of the statewide #KeepKidsSafeCT initiative.

In a Facebook post, the Guilford Police Department called it a successful event.

“Thank you to all who facilitated and volunteered for this successful program,” police said.

They also issued a reminder that residents can turn in unwanted weapons to the police department for destruction at any time.

Meghan Friedmann / Hearst Connecticut Media The Police Department in Guilford