D.A. has $10K to buy firearms from citizens

WILKES-BARRE – Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll announced Friday that her office has received a $10,000 gun buy-back grant aimed to deter crime.

The grant, obtained through the assistance of state Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, and financed by state Department of Community and Economic Development, would provide an opportunity for residents of the 116th state House District to dispose of unwanted firearms in a safe manner.

Musto Carroll said this would reduce the opportunity for criminals to steal guns and sell them on the streets or use them in crimes. Once firearms are collected they will be destroyed.

The District Attorney’s Office received the grant entitlement on July 13 and already has held a gun buy-back at West Hazleton Senior Center on Aug. 12. Gift certificates associated with the program have not been utilized.

An additional gun buy-back program will be held in the council chambers of Hazleton City Hall, 40 N. Church St., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 27.

Guidelines for turning in a weapon in and receiving a $50 or $75 gift certificate from Laurel Mall are as follows:

A form, provided by the District Attorney’s Office, must be signed when you drop off your weapon with your name, address, phone number, signature and date you received the gift certificate.