Norwalk, CT – On Thursday, City officials and residents highlighted the importance of removing unsafe guns from the community and encouraged the public to turn in unwanted firearms this Saturday at a gun buyback event in Norwalk.
“We are doing everything we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands where they may become dangerous. There are many responsible gun owners who understand how to safely store and use firearms,” said Norwalk Mayor Harry W. Rilling. “However, some firearms can end up in the wrong hands and we need to get those off the street. I appreciate the efforts of these local groups for participating in this gun buyback event.”
The gun buyback event in Norwalk is on Saturday, October 16, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Norwalk Police Department, 1 Monroe St. Gift cards will be exchanged for operable firearms. Non-operable guns, BB guns, & ammunition are welcome, but no gift cards will be exchanged for these items. There will also be a limited number of free biometric gun safes available.
Due to COVID-19, the gun buyback is a drive-thru event, and firearms must be placed unloaded in clear plastic bags in the trunk of the vehicle. Any ammunition must be delivered in a separate bag in the trunk of the car. Participants are asked to wear a mask when arriving at the buyback event.
Once the Norwalk Police Department safely disassembles the weapons, the materials will be turned over to the Wilton Quaker Meeting and Swords to Plowshares Northeast, who will melt the firearms down and transform them into gardening tools. Gardening tools have been donated to the community gardens at Fodor Farm from previous buyback events.
“The Wilton Quaker Meeting is pleased to partner with Swords to Plowshares NE and the Norwalk Police Department for a COVID safe ‘drive up’ gun buyback this Saturday. Just leave an unloaded gun in the back of your car and receive grocery store gift cards in exchange,” said Wilton Quaker Meeting member and Norwalk resident Diane Keefe. “We believe homes will be safer from lethal accidents, domestic violence, suicide and mental health crisis with fewer guns in Norwalk area households. Thanks to all the donors who made this buyback possible.”
The gun buyback event on Saturday, October 16, is happening in Norwalk, as well as Guilford, Hartford, Newtown, and Waterbury, as part of a “keep kids safe” statewide campaign. These events are sponsored by the Newtown Action Alliance Foundation, Ethan Miller Song Foundation, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital, CT Against Gun Violence Education Fund, Swords to Plowshares Northeast, Wilton Quaker Meeting, CT Violence Intervention Program, Mothers United Against Violence, Tears for Triumph, Violent Crime Survivors, Guilford Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Newtown Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, and Waterbury Police Department.
