Arlington Police Collect 13 Guns During Buyback Program

ARLINGTON, MA — The Arlington Police Department received 13 unwanted guns during a "Safer Homes, Safer Community" buyback event earlier this month.

The event took place Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Winchester Country Club, in partnership with the Middlesex Sheriff's Office, Winchester Police Department, Arlington Human Rights Commission and local faith-based organizations.

Nine handguns, including .22-caliber and 9mm pistols, two .40-caliber Glock pistols and several revolvers, were collected. The department also received two rifles and two shotguns. The weapons will be destroyed by the Massachusetts State Police, the Arlington Police Department said.

Those who turned in guns received a gift card. Local faith leaders helped fundraise for the buyback program.

Since 2013, Arlington police and the Middlesex Sheriff's Office have partnered together four times to host gun buybacks, collecting 144 unwanted firearms.

"Gun buyback initiatives help to keep our community safe by ensuring these unwanted firearms will never be used to harm anyone," Chief Julie Flaherty said. "We would like to thank the many donors who contributed to a successful event, including the Calvary Church, Mission and Justice Ministry of the Park Avenue Congregational Church, Ellenhorn, Devito Funeral Home and a generous individual named Carolyn Manson. We would also like to thank our law enforcement and community partners who assisted in coordinating the event, as well as those who volunteered."

The program is usually hosted every three years but was held out of the department's regular three-year rotation this year in acknowledgement of September as Gun Safety Month.

Gun buyback programs represent an opportunity for residents to safely dispose of firearms that are no longer used, needed or wanted.

"We would additionally like to thank the Winchester Country Club for allowing the use of their tennis court parking lot for the event," Capt. Sean Kiernan said. "The general manager and staff of the country club, including guests at the country club, were more than accommodating to officers and volunteers. This event is a team effort, and relationships built with community members and surrounding communities allowed this event to be successful."