Gift Cards Will Be Offered During Norwalk Police Gun Buyback Event

In an effort to help keep guns off the streets and out of the hands of criminals, a gun buyback event has been organized between law enforcement and civic organizations that will offer gift cards in return for unwanted or old guns.

The Norwalk Police Department is conducting a gun buyback program on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the police headquarters.
Photo Credit: *File Photo*

Kathy Reakes

10/15/2019 9:43 a.m.

The Norwalk Gun Buyback event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Norwalk Police Department at 1 Monroe St., Norwalk.

The event is a partnership between the City of Norwalk, the Norwalk Police Department, The Newtown Foundation and the Wilton Quaker Meeting.

During the event, officers with the Norwalk Police Department will collect and disassemble each firearm, which requires the owner's signature. All firearms must be unloaded.

“Any unwanted firearm that we can secure and assure does not get into the wrong hands is a win and makes everyone safer. We are happy to partner on this initiative,” said Norwalk Police Chief Thomas E. Kulhawik.

As part of the buyback, gift cards will be distributed as follows: $100 for a long gun, $150 for a handgun, and $300 for an assault weapon as determined by the Norwalk Police Department.

The gift cards for a local supermarket were purchased entirely through private donations.

Once the weapons are collected, they will be turned over to the Wilton Quaker Meeting and the Right Reverend Jim Curry, retired Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Connecticut, where they will use a forge to transform the parts into gardening tools, which will then be donated to local community gardens as part of a program called Swords into Plowshares.

The event is open to any member of the public.

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