Second Town Gun Buy Back Event Result in Less Gun, More Food

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Photo: (from left) Patty Mihelich of the Belmont Food Pantry receiving a check for nearly $2,500 from Amy Starzec and Belmont Police Chief Rich McLaughlin.

Belmont’s second annual Gun Buy Back resulted in making the community a bit safer and the Belmont Food Pantry a little richer.

Belmont Police Chief Richard J. McLaughlin reported that the

Held this past June at the town’s DPW yard, residents were able to discard in a safe way unwanted firearms and ammunition, said Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin.

Working in partnership with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, Belmont Religious Council, individual Belmont houses of worship and our regional police partners Cambridge, Arlington, Watertown and Somerville, the Belmont Police collected a variety of firearms during the day-long event including rifles, shotguns, and pistols.

All firearms turned in at the Gun Buyback will be turned over to the Massachusetts State Police for destruction following the law. 

And $2,469.97 in leftover grocery gift cards and cash, which were purchased by individuals, local businesses and houses of worship and given in exchange for the firearms, was donated to the Belmont Food Pantry to help the 60 local families that require assistance in purchasing food each month.

If residents have questions regarding the Gun Buy Back Program or would like information on what to do with unwanted and unused firearms and ammunition, contact Belmont Police Lt. Kristin Daley at 617-993-2554 or via email kdaley@belmontpd.org 

Belmont’s Second Gun Buy Back Set for June 11

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Photo: A gun buy back in Florida.

There is a perception that gun buyback programs should be concentrated in high crime areas, Belmont Assistant Police Chief James MacIsaac told the Belmont Board of Selectmen at its meeting Monday, May 23. 

“So it was bit surprising two years ago that we discovered there was a real need for this event in Belmont,” MacIsaac told the Belmontonian after the meeting. 

After a total of 62 guns were brought in 2014, Belmont Police Department and private religious groups have once again joined together to hold a second gun buyback event, this time in coordination with neighboring police departments.

The regional event will occur on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Belmont DPW Yard, 37 C Street. 

Belmont Police is partnering with their colleagues in Arlington, Cambridge, Somerville, Watertown, the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, the Belmont Religious Council and individual houses of worship including co-sponsors:

  • All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 
  • Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church,
  • Beth El Temple,
  • First Baptist Church of Belmont,
  • First Church Belmont, Unitarian Universalists,
  • Plymouth Congregational Church, and
  • New Roads Catholic Community.

The buy back allows residents a safe way to dispose of unwanted firearms and ammunition, no questions asked. All firearms turned in at the gun buyback were turned over to the Massachusetts State Police to be destroyed.

During the inaugural purchase in 2014, a variety of firearms were accepted including, rifles, shotguns, pistols and a sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun.

MacIsaac said in addition to peace of mind, safer house and community, participants will receive gift cards to local grocery stores – purchased by the religious organizations – when they drop off their unwanted firearms. The Belmont Police ask that firearms be transported inside vehicle trunks unloaded, safety engaged, inside a box, bag or case. There is no limit to the number of firearms that can be turned in. 

Belmont Police is asking that firearms be transported inside vehicle trunks unloaded, safety engaged, inside a box, bag or case. There is no limit to the number of firearms that can be turned in. Belmont police has set up the following special phone line to receive questions and/or requests for assistance in safely transporting firearms: 617-993-2529

The Belmont Police Department and Middlesex Sherriff’s Office will provide on-duty officers at the event to receive weapons for the safe storage, followed by destruction in accordance with state law. 
For more information go to www.belmontgunbuyback.org 

To make a tax-deductible donation, please make the check payable to: Belmont Religious Council (Belmont Gun Buy Back in the Memo line) and mail to 

BRC c/o David Alper

One Oak Avenue

Belmont, MA 02478  

Belmont’s Gun Buy Back Provides Help to Town’s Food Pantry

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The first-ever Belmont gun buy back event held on Saturday, May 31 not only took unwanted guns out of homes around town but also provided funds to help feed local residents in need.

An important part of the buy back – sponsored by the Belmont Police Department in partnership with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, Belmont Religious Council and individual Belmont houses of worship – was giving away gift cards to local grocery stores in exchange for the firearms. Donations from residents, local businesses and religious communities raised nearly $5,000 in gift cards.

After the end of the event, the sponsors had $3,117 in surplus gift cards.

Last week, a check for that amount was presented to the Belmont Food Pantry to provide those residents in need of food and sundries who find it hard to make ends meet.

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A check for $3,100 provided to the Belmont Food Pantry from the sponsors of the first-ever Belmont Gun Bay Back event. Bottom L-R: Patty Mihelich and Nancy Morrison Top L-R: Dr. David Alper, Jean Dickinson and Chief Richard McLaughlin