Stamford Police Host 6th Annual Gun‑Buyback and Free Safe Giveaway

Mark your calendars – Saturday, Oct. 3, is the day Stamford’s police department opens its doors for the sixth year‑in‑a‑row statewide gun‑buyback and gun‑safe giveaway. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the department’s headquarters on 725 Bedford Street.

Everything is strictly anonymous. You don’t have to hand over an ID, and the whole thing is designed to be as low‑key as possible. (Just a heads‑up: local gun‑shop owners aren’t eligible to participate.)

What’s on the table? Gift cards, in cash‑equivalent amounts, will be handed out for every operable firearm you turn in, while supplies last. The payouts break down as follows:

• $200 for assault‑style weapons, as defined by Connecticut law (note: newly sawed‑off shotguns don’t qualify).
• $100 for pistols and revolvers.
• $50 for rifles and shotguns.
• $25 for single‑ or double‑shot derringer‑type handguns and any black‑powder firearms.

Keep in mind that non‑working guns, black‑powder weapons, flare guns, “ghost” guns, pellet and BB guns, ammunition and magazines are not eligible for the gift cards. They can still be turned in, though, which helps keep them off the streets.

If you’re bringing a gun, the police ask that you transport it in the trunk of a vehicle – a small safety measure that makes the drop‑off smoother for everyone.

And there’s a little extra for folks with a pistol permit: a limited supply of free, PIN‑code gun safes will be handed out on a first‑come, first‑served basis. It’s a neat way to encourage safe storage right after you surrender a weapon.

Overall, the buyback is a community‑focused effort to reduce the number of operable firearms in the area, while also promoting responsible ownership. Whether you’re looking to get rid of an old piece or just want a free safe for your legally owned gun, this is the day to do it.