From Mayor Bill Finch:
The largest gun buyback program in the City’s history continued on Saturday, January 12 with 74 weapons turned in and $7,075 in cash paid out. This was the fifth session held since the program opened on December 23. So far, the public has turned in 477 weapons, including more than a dozen assault-type weapons for a total of $52,200.
The buyback continues on Sat. January 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Police Department’s Community Services Division, 1395 Sylvan Avenue. It will continue every Saturday in January from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as needed.
More than $100,000 in donations, and $30,000 worth of gift cards from local grocer Food Bazaar, has been raised so far from the City, the Bridgeport Housing Authority, the City Council and numerous private sector donors–both individuals and business owners–to fund the program.
“Thanks to the efforts of our gun buyback program, there are nearly 500 fewer dangerous weapons that could end up in the wrong person’s hands,” said Mayor Finch. “We are very encouraged by the participation so far and look forward to hosting this gun buyback event as long as necessary.”
Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr., pledged to keep the buyback going as long as funds are available, stating, “Every gun that is turned in and destroyed is a gun that can’t end up on the street in the hands of a criminal or in the hands of a young person who could injure himself or someone else.”
Police will offer up to $200 value for a working handgun. People turning in rifles will receive $75. A weapon determined to be an assault-type rifle will be eligible for a higher rate of remuneration.
The department has a “no questions asked” policy that will allow people to turn in weapons anonymously without fear of being prosecuted for illegal gun possession. BB guns and non-working guns will be accepted but will not be eligible to receive payment. Gun dealers are not eligible to participate.
The gun buyback fund is being administered by RYASAP, and Mayor Finch urged members of the community to consider making a tax deductible donation to the fund so the gun buyback can continue. “Our goal is to take hundreds more guns off the street,” he said. Anyone wishing to donate can send a check to RYASAP Gun Buyback Fund, 2470 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport CT 06605.
In addition to the City of Bridgeport, the City Council, and the Bridgeport Housing Authority, the following individuals and businesses have made significant donations to the gun buyback fund including: Public Service Electric and Gas (PSEG); Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder; Stratton Faxon; People’s United Bank; Housing Authority; Joseph Luciano; Pullman and Comley; Bridgeport Board of Education; Bridgeport Hospital; St. Vincent’s Medical Center; Aquarion; Berchem, Moses & Devlin; Bridgeport Regional Business Council; Dominion Energy; Bismarck Construction; Cigna.
People turning in weapons must follow a precise protocol.
1. Firearms MUST be delivered unloaded;
2. Firearms MUST be put in a clear plastic bag and put into another container (gym bag, backpack, etc);
3. If depositing ammunition in addition to a firearm, ammunition must be delivered in separate bag;
4. If transporting the firearm by car, the firearm must be transported in the trunk of the car;
5. After the firearm is screened by officers and determined to be a working firearm, a turn-in value will be determined;
6. Non-operational guns, antiques firearms, BB guns and holsters will be accepted but do not qualify for cash payout.
I’d vote for Bill now …
Kid, that kind of declaration might get you an early absentee ballot. Why wait until the last minute?
*** LET’S KEEP IT GOING, NO? ***
Impressive, very impressive. I hope the momentum keeps up.
The program and results are welcome. Let’s not get carried away though. The Mayor of Bridgeport has done nothing about kids dying in our streets before now. I hope the Newtown tragedy and a simple addition exercise of those who have been murdered in Bridgeport over the last couple of years will be enough for a really significant and serious initiative in Bridgeport to end the killing of innocent people and children who die without reason. We all grieve for Newtown but let’s not forget our own–we have lost too many. I hope our country will come together to regulate the production and sale of guns that have no reason, no purpose on our streets or tragically, in our schools and movie theaters.
I agree with Baffled in Bridgeport. This is all fine and good but the Mayor has not been very effective in stopping the gun violence in Bridgeport. It is mostly African American teenaged males doing the shooting, and no, I’m not being a racist, just stating a statistical fact. Bill Finch wrote off a large segment of that population when he said “Democracy doesn’t always work” and tried to justify his claim by saying many people are disenfranchised from voting because of felony convictions.
You really believe he wrote off the African American community??? Does he walk on water? Do you have a better plan? Does anyone really believe the Mayor is responsible for the gun shooting in Bridgeport? Where are the community centers that receive block grant money? Maybe the parents need some training on how to raise kids and keep them safe. MAYBE THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO JUST STEP UP AND STOP BLAMING OTHERS. IF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE TRAINED TO STOP SNITCHING BY FIFTH GRADE HOW CAN THE POLICE SOLVE CRIMES? THIS IS THE CORE OF THE PROBLEM. BLAME THE COPS BLAME THE MAYOR BUT TRAIN THE KIDS TO KEEP QUIET WHEN THEY KNOW WHO IS DEALING DRUGS AND SELLING GUNS!!!
Yes, I do believe Mayor Finch wrote off a large segment of the community by saying people are disenfranchised from the voting process because of felony convictions or questionable immigration status. Eric Holder, the Attorney General, the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the United States of America, announced a program to combat street gangs and the violence they perpetrate on the streets of Connecticut’s cities. Bill Finch was at that press conference for the photo op, not because he was instrumental.
Unless and until Bill Finch makes credible efforts to repair the city’s damaged economy by bringing in long-term jobs that pay a living wage, unless and until he makes a serious effort to break the cycle of dependent entitlement on welfare, nothing is going to change.
Good but largely symbolic. A statement had to be made. I agree with those above who say we have to work on long-term solutions for peace and nonviolence.