3rd Annual Gun Buyback Day in Connecticut Slated for October 28
/Guns are the number killer of American children and teens.
The Campaign to KeepKidsSafe is working with public health, law enforcement, and gun violence prevention groups to host the 3rd Annual #KeepKidsSafe CT Statewide Gun Buyback & Gun Safe Giveaway events in eight communities across Connecticut on Saturday, October 28.
Governor Ned Lamont signed House Bill 6667, An Act Concerning Gun Violence, into law on June 6, 2023. One of the provisions of HB6667 extended the firearm safe storage law to all firearms people store or keep on their premises, rather than only under specified circumstances; expands the scope of the crime of negligently storing a firearm to apply when anyone, not just a minor, obtains an unlawfully stored firearm and injures or kills himself or herself or someone else. The effective date of HB6667 is October 1, 2023; therefore, gun owners with pistol permits are encouraged to pick up a free gun safe at the event.
During the last two Annual #KeepKidsSafe Connecticut Statewide Gun Buyback & Gun Safe Giveaway Days, over 850 guns -- including 14 assault weapons -- were collected, and over 600 gun safes and hundreds of gun safety educational materials were distributed, according to officials with the initiative.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a gun-free home is the safest home for children and teens. Having a gun in the home doubles an individual’s risk for homicide and triples the risk of suicide. If guns are present in the home, then they must be safely stored to help prevent firearm deaths and injuries.
The voluntary gun buyback and safe firearm storage events in the participating communities will offer an opportunity for gun owners to safely remove unwanted weapons from their homes and communities. These events will also promote gun safety and safe firearm storage. For gun owners who want to keep their guns but seek a responsible way to better secure their weapons, a limited supply of pin code gun safes will be provided free of charge to those with a valid gun permit.
The Gun Buyback & Gun Safe Giveaway events are 100% anonymous; therefore, IDs are not required, and no questions will be asked, officials point out.
The Gun Buyback & Gun Safe Giveaway day is described as an important community safety initiative that will help veteran gun owners, other gun owners, and their family members to dispose of unwanted and/or unsecured guns to help reduce the risk of homicides, suicides, unintentional shootings, and domestic violence, and keep guns from getting into the wrong hands - such as children, individuals who may be facing a mental health crisis, individuals with dementia, perpetrators of domestic violence, and criminals.
Guns must be delivered unloaded in clear plastic bags, and any ammunition must be delivered in a separate bag in the trunk of the car. Officials also note that COVID-19 guidelines will be strictly enforced, and all participants must wear a mask and comply with all social distancing guidelines.
Participating organizations include: Newtown Action Alliance Foundation, Ethan Miller Song Foundation, CT Children’s Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, MidState Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Yale New Haven Health, CT Against Gun Violence, CT Violence Intervention Program, Mothers United Against Violence, Humanium Metal and local police departments in Guilford, Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, Newtown, Norwalk, Stamford and Waterbury.
The Campaign to Keep Kids Safe (CKKS) was established by the Newtown Action Alliance Foundation and the Ethan Miller Song Foundation as an educational program for parents, educators & healthcare professionals to reduce unintentional shootings among children and childhood gun suicides and homicides in America; to provide gun safes to gun owners; and promote community gun buyback opportunities.
LOCATIONS - Saturday, October 28:
● GUILFORD: Police Department, 400 Church Street (10AM-1PM)
● HARTFORD: Police Department, 50 Jennings Road (9AM-3PM)
● MERIDEN: Police Department 30 Butler Street (10AM-1PM)
● MIDDLETOWN: Police Department, 7735 Main Street (10AM-1PM)
● NEWTOWN: Police Department, 191 South Main Street (10AM-1PM)
● NORWALK: Police Department, 1 Monroe Street (10AM-1PM)
● STAMFORD: Police Department, 725 Bedford Street (10AM-2PM)
● WATERBURY: Police Department Training Center, 240 Bank Street (9AM-1PM)
