Gifts for Guns

Tools

Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

By Miranda Grossman

Story Published: May 10, 2009 at 3:14 AM EDT

Story Updated: May 10, 2009 at 3:14 AM EDT

Shot guns, pistols and ammunition. That is what was dropped off Saturday at the West Springfield Police Department for the "Gift for Guns" buyback program. "People can bring in a functioning gun, in exchange for an FL Roberts gas gift card," said Captain Anthony Viecelli of the West Springfield Police Department.

This is the third year local police Departments and Baystate Medical Center teamed up to take guns off the street. 98 guns were collected from six different locations. Bringing the total to more than 385 guns collected over the past three years of the program. "We see a lot of older people with guns in their homes that don't know what to do with them. They are afraid they might get stolen and put into the wrong hands," said Mary Paine of Baystate Medical Center Children's Hospital.

Officials say this program won't stop gun violence, but getting one gun off the street is worthwhile. "You never know where these guns will turn up. If you have a gun in your house and someone breaks in and steals them, they could get out in the street and used in a crime," said Captain Viecelli.

They hope this program will stop accidents before they happen. "We've seen kids at friends houses, they find a gun that's not locked up and its just heartbreaking. If we can avoid that then this program is doing its job," said Paine.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

This is nuts! said on Sunday, May 10 at 11:50 PM

Captain Viecelli, if you are so concerned about these weapons being used by criminals then why dont you offer a course that people could take and learn to use them properly? Being a servant you should know your oath of office and that is to defend the Constitution.Why not teach a course on safety and how to protect yourself from the bad guys? The right to bear arms is every free mans right. Why take them from people? Whats going on here?

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

CBS 3 Springfield and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

More Good Stuff

Advertisement

Weather

Icon
Current Temp 93.0 °F
A Few Clouds
Wind : Southwest at 15.0 MPH (13 KT)
Humidity : 42 %
Pressure : 1012.5 mb
More Weather

Weather

More Weather

On Demand

Stock Quotes

WHYN NewsTalk 560
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
 Local Guides
 Agawam
 Amherst
 Bloomfield
 Chicopee
 East Hartford
 Easthampton
 Enfield
 Glastonbury
 Hartford
 Holyoke
 Longmeadow
 Ludlow
 Manchester
 Northampton
 Simsbury
 South Hadley
 South Windsor
 Southbridge
 Springfield
 Storrs Mansfield
 Vernon Rockville
 West Hartford
 West Springfield
 Westfield
 Windsor