Saint Francis and Saint Mary’s Participate in Statewide Gun Buyback and Safe Giveaway
November 3, 2025Categories: Events
For the fifth straight year, Saint Francis Hospital and Saint Mary’s Hospital Trauma Departments collaborated with partners from across the state for the #KeepKidsSafe Connecticut Statewide Gun Buyback and Safe Giveaway to promote gun safety. The event, held on November 1 in several communities around the state, seeks to reduce firearm-related injuries by lowering the number of unwanted and unsecured guns that are in Connecticut homes.
During the buyback events, Connecticut residents are able to turn in working guns in exchange for gift cards. In addition to disposing of unwanted guns, the event promotes safe storage by distributing a limited number of free gun safes and gun locks to participants.
Saint Francis has participated in the Capital Region Gun Buyback Program for 17 years, collaborating with Connecticut Children’s, Hartford Hospital, Hartford Police Department, and several community partners. Saint Mary’s has partnered with the Waterbury Police Department, Department of Public Health, and Waterbury Hospital on the area’s Gun Buyback Program since at least 2019.
Initiatives like the #KeepKidsSafe Connecticut Statewide Gun Buyback are designed to raise awareness in order to reduce injuries and fatalities. Since the inaugural #KeepKidsSafe Connecticut Statewide Gun Buyback in 2020, over 2,050 guns have been collected, including 47 assault weapons, while over 2,200 gun safes were distributed.
Saint Mary's Trauma Department, the Waterbury Police Department, and other community partners collaborated on the Waterbury Gun Buyback and Safe Giveaway.
Saint Francis, Connecticut Children's, Hartford Hospital, the Hartford Police Department, and community partners supported the event in Hartford.