Gun buyback program getting results

Bridgeport, Conn. (WTNH) - At the end of its second day, the gun buyback program, a joint effort between the Bridgeport Police Department and the Bridgeport Housing Authority, has already netted 55 firearms.

Mayor Bill Finch along with acting Police Chief Joseph Gaudett Jr. and Bridgeport Housing Authority Executive Director Nicholas Calace, kicked off the program on Sept. 2, and by day's end, 12 firearms had been collected in exchange for gift cards to local grocery stores. That number climbed steadily on Friday, and by 4 p.m., 55 firearms - 18 rifles and 37 pistols - had been collected and only $1,000 in gift cards remained.

"This program provides incentives for people with unused and/or unregistered firearms to trade them in for gift cards-no questions asked. One gun off the street is one less gun that could potentially fall into the wrong hands" Finch said.

"We at the Housing Authority are very pleased Mayor Finch and Chief Gaudett's Gun Buyback program is starting to work. We understand how vital it was to get this program started with the initial seed money," Calace said.

The Bridgeport Housing Authority kick-started the program with $5,000, which was used to purchase the gift cards.

"I urge our local business owners and corporations to contribute to the gun buyback program so that we can continue to keep our streets safe and free from illegal guns. Our police department is doing a great job but we need everyone's help to accomplish this goal," Finch said.