Photos of returned firearms

Koutoujian

UPDATED, July 7: One hundred and twenty unwanted guns and ammunition were exchanged for gift cards to local stores and restaurants over four Saturdays of the “Safer Homes, Safer Communities” Eastern Middlesex County Regional Gun Buyback initiative, officials have announced.

The initiative -- held Saturdays, June 8 through 29 -- was a collaborative effort of the Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Newton and Watertown Police Departments, in conjunction with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office as well as faith- and community-based partners. This was the second regional buyback held in Middlesex County since 2016, with a total of 270 weapons exchanged for gift cards during the two regional initiatives.

Included among the 120 guns accepted on the days of the events was a loaded .22-caliber pistol in Newton. The individual disposing of the gun was unaware that it was loaded.

“The loaded firearm that was turned in is an example of why this was such an important effort,” said Newton Police Chief David MacDonald in a July 5 news release. “Any adult or child could potentially have mishandled it in the home and caused an avoidable tragedy. A special thank you to Sheriff Koutoujian and his staff for their hard work and professionalism as well as our citizen volunteers.”

Exceptions

The 120 guns does not include additional firearms that have since been turned into the participating communities following their hosted events.

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian said: “I want to thank all our partners for their leadership in this area, and allowing us to continue to support these important community-based efforts. Offering residents these opportunities to safely remove unwanted and unsecured guns reduces the chances of theft or accidental discharge, making our homes and our communities safer.”

Julie Flaherty, Arlington's acting chief, said: “This year's regional gun buyback program was a tremendous success, and I would like to sincerely thank Sheriff Koutoujian for his leadership in helping to ensure that 120 fewer guns are in circulation. Just one unwanted firearm turned in for destruction can represent many fewer chances for a tragedy in the home.”

Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard Jr. added, “This important event continues to grow each year with more and more community support. Working with our local regional partners and providing ways to dispose of unwanted firearms is making our communities and homes safer places to live by limiting the unintended access to these weapons.”

Since 2013, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office has assisted 12 municipal departments, with 25 total buybacks, resulting in over 1,100 unwanted weapons turned in.

This announcement was published Monday, May 13, 2019, and updated July 7, to add photo link.