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Friday, March 29, 2024

Cambridge Police released this image at the time of its 2016 gun buyback, when 23 firearms were collected at two city locations. This pile includes BB and toy guns that were turned in.

The city’s third annual gun buyback is Saturday at two locations, giving residents a chance to dispose of unwanted firearms with “no questions asked and no ID required,” police said.

Last year’s event saw 23 guns turned in, and the 2015 event saw 55 turned in, said Jeremy Warnick, director of communications and media relations for Cambridge police.

“One of the guns turned in during one of our buybacks was a loaded handgun, which was brought in by a widow,” Warnick said.

Last year saw a regional effort spearheaded with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and including Arlington, Belmont, Somerville and Watertown. Among just Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge, 261 unwanted guns have been turned in during gun buybacks held since September 2013, Warnick said.

This year’s “Safer Homes, Safer Community: Cambridge Gun Buy-Back” initiative runs from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in parking lots at two locations: Reservoir Church, 170 Rindge Ave., North Cambridge (in the front parking lot); and Pentecostal Tabernacle, 77 Columbia St., near Central Square. Cambridge Police will be available to pick up firearms at Cambridge homes if people aren’t able to drop them off, Warnick said. Call (617) 349-3300 to schedule a pickup.

Cambridge Police and the sheriff’s office will be managing the sites and handling the guns turned in, and State Police will destroy the guns.

As an incentive to participate, residents will be awarded gift cards for each firearm turned in Saturday or scheduled this week: $50 for a BB gun, pellet gun or ammunition; $100 for a revolver, handgun, semi-automatic, shotgun or rifle; and $200 for an assault weapon. Children who turn in any toy guys will be eligible for a $5 ice cream gift card.

The buyback is led by several city interfaith-based organizations and nonprofits: Abundant Life Church, A Place to Heal Ministry, Cambridgeport Baptist Church, Cambridge Community Fellowship Church, Congregation Eitz Chayim, Christ Church, First Church in Cambridge Congregational, First Holiness Church, Islamic Society of Boston in Cambridge, Journey Church, Pentecostal Tabernacle, Rush AME Zion Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Temple Beth Shalom, Union Baptist Church, Greater Boston Vineyard Church, Cambridge Community Arts Center, Cambridge Community Foundation, Cambridge Community Center, Cambridge Peace Commission, East End House, Many Helping Hands, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Cambridge Police Department, Cambridge Public Health Department, Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, Massachusetts State Police and more.