More than 100 firearms were turned in to the New London Police Department in exchange for monetary rewards in the first weekend of the city's gun buyback program.
Acting Chief Peter Reichard said 28 people participated in the program's second day on Sunday. Officers collected 23 handguns and 19 long guns and gave out $3,725 in prepaid MasterCard gift cards.
Reichard said that after the first weekend of the gun buyback, 75 residents had taken part and turned in 63 handguns, 62 long guns, and one assault weapon with $10,900 given out in gift cards.
The program continues from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 9 and 10 at the Truman Street substation and offers $75 for long guns, $100 for handguns, and $150 for assault weapons. The buyback is funded by private donations, and residents will be compensated only for the first three firearms they turn in.
Residents who wish to take part in the program should bring unloaded firearms, wrapped in clear plastic and placed in the trunk of a vehicle, to the substation and inform an officer so the gun can be checked and made safe. Police will not charge residents for any minor infractions, such as possession of a firearm without a permit, but the buyback is not a general amnesty program since serial numbers of the weapons are being checked to see if they were involved in any major crimes.
