34 firearms collected during Hampden County gun buyback event
The event is a community safety initiative coordinated by the Hampden District Attorney's Office, Baystate Health, and the West Springfield Police Department.
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Held at West Springfield Town Hall, the event provided residents with a safe and anonymous way to dispose of unwanted guns and ammunition. All items collected will be securely destroyed to reduce the potential for gun-related accidents, theft, or misuse.
'Each gun turned in represents a potentially life-saving decision,' said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. 'Whether it's a firearm that a family no longer feels safe keeping, or one that's simply no longer wanted, removing these weapons from homes and our streets helps prevent tragedies before they happen.'
The initiative is a key part of the Hampden District Attorney's Office's broader violence prevention strategy. Public health data consistently show that access to firearms significantly increases the risk of suicide and accidental injury. By offering a judgment-free, community-centered opportunity to surrender guns, organizers aim to promote safer homes and neighborhoods.
In exchange for firearms and ammunition, participants received gift cards to Big Y Supermarkets, with $50 for a handgun, rifle, or shotgun, and $100 for an assault weapon. The gun buyback program is one element of a multifaceted public safety plan that includes youth outreach, school partnerships, and collaborations with health care providers and local law enforcement agencies.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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