News

August 8, 2009

Residents can turn old guns into cash

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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A popular program that exchanges gift certificates for unwanted firearms will take place in West Hazleton on Wednesday.

“It gives an opportunity for people who have guns in their home who don’t want them there to have a place to get rid of them safely,” Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said. “It takes guns off the streets; it takes guns out of the hands of children who may find these guns and play with them. It eliminates a dangerous situation.”

People turning in unwanted firearms will receive gift certificates for the Laurel Mall in Sugarloaf Township. A handgun fetches a $75 and a rifle or shotgun receives a $50 gift certificate.

“It provides a place for people to turn these firearms in and make a few dollars as well,” Musto Carroll said.

The exchange is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. at the West Hazleton Senior Center, 12 S. Fourth St., West Hazleton.

Musto Carroll’s office is hosting the event, thanks to a $10,000 grant obtained by state Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township.

Only residents of the 116th Legislative District are eligible for the gift certificates. The 116th District includes the city of Hazleton, Butler, Foster, Hazle, Black Creek and Sugarloaf townships, and the boroughs of Conyngham, Freeland, Jeddo, White Haven and West Hazleton.

People turning in firearms must sign a form relinquishing ownership rights to the weapon, and the firearm must be operational in order to receive a gift certificate.

Gift certificates will be limited to two per person, although more than two firearms will be accepted for disposal. Ammunition will also be accepted but no gift certificates will be awarded.

The District Attorney’s Office held five gun buy-back programs during 2004 using a $10,000 grant.

Earlier this year, county detectives hauled more than 800 firearms weighing more than 1,200 pounds from the gun buy-back program to Allan Industries Recyclers in Wilkes-Barre Township to be destroyed.

“They have to be destroyed by law,” Musto Carroll said.

Rifles and shotguns had to be sheared a certain way to prevent the barrels from being welded together, and handguns had to be sheared twice.

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