From city Communications Director Brett Broesder:
Mayor Bill Finch announced the first corporate donor as the city resumes its successful gun buyback program, which over the last three years has taken in more than 1,000 guns. Aquarion is contributing the first $2,500 to the effort.
“I want to thank Aquarion Water Company for their generous support,” said Mayor Finch. “We have taken in more than 1,000 guns so far. These are guns will never be used to injure or kill an innocent person or found by a child, with tragic results, in a relative’s nightstand. And, Bridgeport is safer because of it.”
“We want to build on that success and take another 1,000 guns off our streets.”
The goal of the program is to raise $100,000. The city started the fund with $25,000, and the city is calling on the business community for an additional $75,000.
“We at Aquarion think it’s very important to support this program that will be very beneficial to the city,” said Aquarion Vice President Bruce Silverstone.
“We can and must do more to stem the tide of illegal guns that end up on our streets and in the hands of criminals,” said Mayor Finch. “I guarantee that the people responsible for the tragic shooting in Trumbull Gardens last week did not legally possess those handguns.”
“The question is how did they end up in their hands–and what can we do to prevent more weapons from ending up in the hands of criminals?”
Since his tenure as a state senator, Mayor Finch had advocated for gun-law reform at a state and federal level.
“This is not a Bridgeport problem. This a national problem, and hard-working people in cities across the country are being victimized by weak and ineffective federal gun laws,” said Mayor Finch. “We can”t wait for Washington to act. We have to do something locally.”
During the initial gun buyback program, which began in 2012, one of the first weapons turned in was an AR-15 assault rifle, the same type of weapon used to kill elementary schools kids and teachers in Newtown. Police also received a Street Sweeper, a 12-round, revolver style shotgun.
“These are not hunting rifles. These are weapons of war. They are specifically designed to kill and maim other human beings and they have no place on our streets and in the hands of criminals,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr.
Through the program, gun owners are paid cash when they turn in handguns and rifles.
When police recover a handgun in a criminal investigation, Gaudett noted, investigators trace the background to see how it ended up on the street. Too often, Gaudett said, police departments learn that the weapons had been reported stolen during a home burglary or a car break in.
“The problem is people store their guns in a nightstand or on a shelf in the closet or under their mattress,” Gaudett said. “And that’s the first place burglars look. Guns end up on the street that way far too often.”
He referenced a 2013 incident in which police interrupted a burglary on Englewood Avenue and arrested two burglars. Inside a pillow case with other items was a Desert Eagle .45-caliber handgun.
“If police had arrived five minutes later, that gun probably would have ended up on the street in the hands of a criminal,” said Chief Gaudett.
According to the National Center for Injury Prevention, one person is killed in the U.S. by a firearm every 17 minutes, 87 people are killed during an average day, and 609 are killed every week.
Also, between 2000 and 2010, a total of 335,609 people died from guns–more than the population of St. Louis, Mo. (318,069), Pittsburgh (307,484), Cincinnati, Ohio (296,223), Newark, N.J. (277,540), and Orlando, Fla. (243,195).
“Those are staggering numbers. And, that’s why we’re calling on businesses to help us fund our gun buyback program. We all need to do our part to win the fight against illegal guns. It’s critical to ensure our streets are not only safer today, but for generations to come,” said Mayor Finch. “The numbers speak for themselves. We can–and must–do better. The lives of our kids depend on it.”
In the Gun Buyback program, 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. However, the program’s focus is to make Bridgeport a safer place to live, so the program now is limited to residents of Bridgeport.
The BB guns and non-working guns will be accepted but won’t be eligible for cash payment. Gun dealers are not eligible to participate.
Great press release to explain to the ignorant. This is where the BRBC gets involved. Aquarion, thank you for supporting this initiative.
And by the way, I’m Bill Finch and I’m running for re-election.
Excellent.
Steve, who in hell are you calling ignorant? Is it all the people on this blog who don’t believe in Finch? You are such a suck-ass, now you’re kissing Paul T’s ass.
You ignorant jerk, do you believe the gang bangers and the shooters are going to turn in their guns? Please! Grow up, Steve.
Andy, slow down on the Budweiser.
Sorry Kid, I don’t drink.
I can’t believe I agree with Andy. Steve is an ass who needs to remove his lips from Finch’s buttocks. Anyone who thinks turning in a gun found in the attic after uncle Bob passed on is making a dent, is a fool. Those who are murdering each other are holding on to theirs, you dumbass. Did the bangers turn them in three years ago? No. Has it stopped them from shooting it out? What was taken in were worthless rusty guns. Then Gaudett and Finch pat their own back just before more shootings occurred. This is an election-year publicity stunt. Finch is again using a shooting for political gain like when he stood outside the stores in which the clerks were killed and claimed lowest crime rate crap. Did you try explaining that to the families, you dunce? Spin it as you will but we aren’t all fools like Steve.
Phantom, are you sure you aren’t a fool? You are supporting whom? Why? Really? I’ll stick to what’s best for Bridgeport. I will stick to the Mayor who has moved us forward, as most people will.
Phantom, if only I knew who you were! The ignorant are those who are obstructionists who need to hear from the President of Aquarian to understand business is supporting Finch in his efforts. I respect all of your comments attacking me. All you need to do is realize they are just anti-Finch people who cannot stand that Finch is doing everything right and getting good press. Bridgeport Kid, I am safely assuming you and Phantom are Ganim supporters; if you would like to say something to my face I will be at O’Manel’s, I’d love to meet those who hide behind an alias handle and feel so confidant making insults. Andy Fardy I accept, he is like the disturbed relative you hide in the basement. You woman, I am not sure what to make of you.
“The question is how did they end up in their hands–and what can we do to prevent more weapons from ending up in the hands of criminals?” That’s easy, quit selling them.
Mexico, Haiti and Guatemala are the only other countries that allow their citizens to have guns.
Donald, that is not true. Many many other countries allow their citizens to have guns, subject to their local laws. Check out this article for an overview of gun laws by nation:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_of_gun_laws_by_nation
I would suggest you go back and read what you posted.
I read it before I posted it. DD, you said, “Mexico, Haiti and Guatemala are the only other countries that allow their citizens to have guns.”
That article will tell you Canadian citizens can own guns. It will tell you some Switzerland citizens were required to own guns until recently, now it’s optional. These two countries (and many others) are not on your list of “the only other countries that allow their citizens to have guns.”
I turned in my gun in the last buy-back at the substation on Sylvan Ave. All I saw were older men and women turning in weapons that in many cases didn’t even work. As I sat there I thought the criminals still have their guns and these people have nothing to defend themselves with. Most just needed the extra money. Not one of them would be considered to be a threat to society.
I tried to turn in my official Star Trek phaser.
Thank you, concerned citizen. You just made my point for me. As for you Steve, you’re correct. I extend an olive branch. I do get easily frustrated at some of your pro-Finch rose-colored glasses comments. Go Joe, Go!
“The problem is people store their guns in a nightstand or on a shelf in the closet or under their mattress,” Gaudett said. “And that’s the first place burglars look. Guns end up on the street that way far too often.”
Are you kidding? Chief Gaudett must have grown up in Mayberry with Andy and Barney. Most of the guns on the streets of Bridgeport were purchased legally in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky. Then brought back here and sold on the streets. Give me a fucking break.
After September’s primary, Stevie will fold up his Barbie Safari tent and go home!
www .toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=28328236
Jim Fox, my barbie safari tent? Was there a joke there intended to embarrass me? No fear, it did not. So here I am with my Barbie Safari tent and you acting and looking just like Ken–exactly! Missing something are you? 🙂 I’m not!