Wakefield Police Host Gun Buyback Saturday

Due to the generosity of one Wakefield resident and the participation of the Wakefield Police Department, a gun buyback progarm is coming up this Saturday in dedication to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. 

Wakefield resident Barbara Laramine has offered to fund the program in honor of the victims; $2,600 total, $100 for each of the victims. 

The Wakefield Gun Buyback program will be held this Saturday, June 29, at the Wakefield Police Department headquarters at 1 Union St. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

"The buyback is open to Wakefield residents to provide an opportunity to safely dispose of working guns that are no longer used, needed, or wanted. The firearms will be destroyed before they fall into the wrong hands, possibly resulting in a tragedy. Wakefield residents turning in handguns, rifles, shotguns, and assault rifles will receive American Express Gift Checks for the various weapons," a press release read. 

Find more program details below:

• Program is open to Wakefield residents only
• $150 for assault rifles, $100 for handguns, and $50 for rifles and shotguns will be given. Non-working guns, replicas and ammunition will be accepted, but no gift cards will be awarded for these items. BB guns will not be accepted.
• There is no limit on the number of guns that may be turned in, but there is a limit of two gift cards per family.

• Residents are asked to transport weapons UNLOADED and in the trunk of their vehicle. Weapons are to be carried in a clear plastic bag or box. Officers will be on-hand to retrieve non-boxed weapons from vehicles or assist with those not comfortable handling the weapons.

• If assistance is needed to ensure a weapon is safe, or you are not comfortable transporting it, please call Lt. Scott Reboulet to make arrangements for the weapon to be secured by a police officer.

• Funding for the program is limited to $2600.
• Unlicensed residents who turn in weapons won't be prosecuted for the crime of unlawful possession of a weapon. This immunity doesn't extend to other criminal offenses, or apply to a person already facing gun charges.

For more information, visit the Wakefield Police Department website at www.wakefieldpd.org, or contact

Lieutenant Scott Reboulet at 339-219-4501 or lt.reboulet@wakefieldpd.org.

The Wakefield Police Department provided information for this article.