New London holds a gun buy back

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH)--  Folks bringing in guns, literally lined up to get rid of them in New London.

"I just had a pistol, that we don't even like guns in the house now a days, and things like that, and I saw it on your channel for a gun buyback," said Ron Ingves, of New London.

Sunday marked the second day of the New London Gun Buy Back program. People gave up unwanted firearms, in exchange for gift cards.

Donations from local religious groups and the bar association sponsored the event.

"Two handguns, two 38 revolvers, they were from an elderly neighbor whose uncle used to work for the New York City Police Detectives," said Mike Boucher, of New London.

Other interesting stories, one gun hidden in a book for years.

Saturday over 40 handguns, 38 long guns and one assault rifle, an AK 47, were turned in. All those collected will be destroyed.

Most folks telling News 8 that getting rid of the gun safely motivated them more than the "money."

 "You often read about home accidents with handguns or people stealing handguns and using them in crimes, so the less that are out there, the better," said Boucher.

"We had it for years and years, no use for it, so a safe place to bring it back," said Ingves.

The plan is to run another gun buyback at the same police substation next Saturday and next Sunday at 40 Truman Street.

This weekend, a total of 62 handguns, 63 long guns and 1 assault weapon were taken in by police in exchange for gift cards.