WORCESTER—Worcester County residents once again get the chance to clear unwanted guns out of their homes next weekend, as the region’s long-running “Guns to Gardens” buyback program marks its 24th year.
The annual event — scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13 — invites people to drop off firearms at participating police stations across the county in exchange for gift cards. The program has collected more than 4,000 guns since it began in Worcester in 2002, according to an announcement from Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
This year’s sites include police headquarters in Charlton, Fitchburg, Northborough, Milford and Worcester, along with City Welding & Fabrication on Arant Street, where participants can watch their firearms destroyed. In recent years, those dismantled guns have been repurposed into gardening tools used in UMass community gardens.
The DA’s announcement notes that anyone turning in an operable firearm receives a gift card — $50 for a rifle, $100 for a pistol and $150 for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon. Free gun locks are also available, even for those not surrendering a firearm.
The program offers anonymity and relaxed enforcement of firearm-carrying laws for participants. All guns must be unloaded and brought in wrapped or bagged; ammunition is accepted but must be bagged separately. Replica guns are also permitted.
Early said in the announcement that removing unsecured weapons can “help prevent accidental tragedies, theft or misuse” and reduce the cost of treating gunshot injuries. He also credited Dr. Michael Hirsh, medical director of the Worcester Division of Public Health, who launched the initiative more than two decades ago.
“Every gun that we can get out of homes that are not safely secured … is a win for a peaceful holiday season in the Woo,” Hirsh said.
The buyback runs at the following times:
- Charlton Police Department: 10 a.m. to noon
- Fitchburg Police Department: 10 a.m. to noon
- Milford Police Department: 10 a.m. to noon
- Northborough Police Department: 10 a.m. to noon
- Worcester Police Department: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- City Welding & Fabrication (Worcester): 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The program is sponsored by the District Attorney’s Office, UMass Memorial Medical Group, the City of Worcester, the Worcester Police Department and the Worcester Department of Public Health.
