MAINE, USA — This Saturday, Maine residents can surrender unwanted firearms and ammunition at local law enforcement agencies as part of "Gun Give Back Day."
Every other year, the Maine Gun Safety Coalition (MGSC) partners with local law enforcement to make this event happen. In 2019 and again in 2022, the MGSC collected over 500 guns and over 25,000 rounds of ammunition, according to their website.
Here's a full list of participating departments this year
Bar Harbor/Mt. Desert
Brunswick
Buxton
Cape Elizabeth
Ellsworth
Falmouth
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
Old Orchard Beach
Pittsfield
Portland
Rockland
Sanford
Skowhegan
Westbrook
Yarmouth
The MGSC stated on its site that residents turn in their guns and ammunition for various reasons, including young children or family members with mental illness in the home, or wanting "to be relieved of inherited guns, duplicative guns, and old guns that did not work."
Whatever is collected is then broken down and converted into sellable products with the help of a Swedish nonprofit, Humanium Metal—raising gun violence awareness by converting the metal into products like pens, sculptures, and jewelry.
The Portland Police Department posted about the event on its Facebook page, saying they are accepting long guns, shotguns, handguns, air rifles, and pellet guns on the Plaza at 109 Middle St. The department reminded those returning guns to visit the Plaza first and an officer will accompany you to your car to secure the weapon before returning to the Plaza.
Please check with each participating department for instructions on their protocol for surrendering firearms and ammunition.
