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Government

MA City’s Anti-Gun Program: Free Flu Shots & Gift Cards in Exchange for Your Firearms

Dec. 3, 2012 10:23am Billy Hallowell

Local officials are offering residents of Worcester, Massachusetts, a bargain. In exchange for firearms, they will be given a Wegman’s grocery store gift card and a flu shot, free of charge. In order to take advantage of the community “special,” locals simply need to bring their unloaded and unwanted weapons in a wrapped bag to the Worcester Police Headquarters.

Worcester, Massachusetts Offers Gun Buy Back Program: Flu Shots, Gift Certificates for Guns

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The annual effort has been in effect since 2002 and, according to Telegraph.com, the “Goods for Guns Program” has collected 2,200 firearms, doling out coveted gift cards to those who comply. In 2011, 40 guns were turned in to officials and, according to Deputy Chief Edward J. McGinn, firearms are destroyed after being turned over to authorities.

The program is a collaboration between public health officials, police and UMass memorial Medical Center’s Injury Prevention, among other local partners. Residents were able to turn in guns this past Saturday or they can do so again on Dec. 8.

Naturally, those who have illegal firearms or who are worried about their past legal problems might be hesitant to flag themselves by turning in their weapons. But, according to authorities, there’s no need to fear, as guns can be handed over with no questions asked.

“Absolutely, positively, come one, come all,” said McGinn. “We’re not asking any names or questions.”

Screen shot from the Worcester city web site advertising the “Goods for Guns” program

The program, according to Dr. Michael P. Hirsh, the city’s acting public health commissioner, has become a model for other cities to follow. Hirsh believes that gun buy-back programs help bring down firearm fatalities. In particular he believes that the Worcester effort has helped distinguish the city as having the lowest firearm fatality rate in New England.

The city’s web site advertises the program, breaking down the benefits for those who choose to turn in guns. The description makes it clear that the effort goes beyond merely opposing illegal firearms.

“A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to kill a family member or friend than to kill an intruder,” the text proclaims. “With gun ownership comes the responsibility of storing guns locked, unloaded and inaccessible to kids.”

The city notes that if properly handling a gun is not something that is doable, then residents can “dispose of the firearm” through the “Goods for Guns” program. For a semi-automatic weapon, one would receive a $75 gift certificate, whereas a handgun would only leave one with a $50 card (long guns are worth $25). Flu shots, as stated, are also available.

And — there’s a limit on the number of guns that can be offered per person. Only four hand guns and two long guns per individual can be turned in if one wishes to receive the aforementioned benefits.

(H/T: CNSNews.com)

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (122)

Dodsfall
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 11:02am
There are at least two problems with these programs.

1) Stolen weapons, which are the property of a citizen, get turned in and destroyed. This creates an incentive to steal weapons for some quick cash that could not be obtained at a pawn shop or gun store because of having a record of the transaction.

2) The bulk of the weapons collected in these programs are inoperable/broken/worthless. Often gun dealers empty out their junk inventory stripped of any usable parts, which are worth less than the amount given.

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- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 11:30am
  Dodsfall,
  
  In terms of the incentive to steal, if one were inclined at all the steal, there many many more profitable targets than a handgun that will get you a $50 gift certificate.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 12:14pm
  So you bring in your gun and trade it for a gift card.
  
  You walk outside and down the block, someone with a gun steals the gift card from you….
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 1:00pm
  I wonder if anyone there has seen crop dusting type planes flying over the city in the wee hours of the morning…
  
  Report this comment
- johnsnare
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 1:05pm
  Sure. The law abiding gun owner turns his weapons in, and the criminal, gets to keep his. No thanks, I will keep mine.
  
  Report this comment
- Dodsfall
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 1:52pm
  PUBLIUSPENCILMAN,
  
  However, there are very few things you can steal and sell to the city without any risk of prosecution.
  
  Report this comment
- jagdkatze
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 2:22pm
  Good point Dodsfall. Also, who in their right mind would exchange a $1,000 AR15 for $75 unless it was stolen? $50 for a Glock 19? Ridiculous.
  
  Report this comment
- Maji
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 2:34pm
  Here’s a twist!
  I’ll give you my tax money and you give
  me “good government” with less “graft”!!
  
  Report this comment
- banjarmon
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 2:38pm
  PRY the weapon out of my cold dead hand!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Gorp
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 3:06pm
  I NEVER get a flu shot and I have enough of my own money to buy the things I want/need. The gun I wanted/needed cost way more than $75 and I paid for it with my own money. I had to save up for it but neither the government nor some medical idiot contributed anything to my purchase. I BUILT THAT ON MY OWN!!!
  
  Report this comment
- turkey13
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 3:09pm
  It would be neat to be a ghost in the room after some thug cuts your phone line and points a gun at you while you point your gift card at them. Here in Oklahoma about 5 months ago a young 18 yearb old single mom saved her self and her babies life when a drug crased idiot broke in her home out in a rural area. It took almost 15 minuets for the sheriffs deputies to get there. Sorry but he didn’t make it and no one came to his funeral.
  
  Report this comment
- 4kidsandacat
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 4:29pm
  Wow they are not even giving you the equivalent value of the gun! Even if they were, would I do this? HELL NO! Because we all know there is an ulterior motive to these programs and it isn’t to get the guns out of the hands of criminals.
  
  Report this comment
- kenboo1
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 8:35pm
  n 2011 – there were 12,996 murders committed in the USA. Of those less than 1/2 (6,009) were committed by a hand gun. 8,775 were committed by a gun… Of the 8,775 murders by guns in 2011 pales in comparison to the 48,000 people killed in Auto accidents in 2011… Before we even think about the 12 times more likely to die from violence if a hand gun is in a home, we should take peoples cars away from those who can not handle that responsibility…
  
  Report this comment
BasketFullOfPuppies
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:57am
Even if I were willing to take a flu vaccine shot (and I’m not), why would I trade one line of defense for another, especially considering that the gun is much more reliable in the long term? Besides, aren’t these flu shots given for free, already?

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- longknifed
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 2:11pm
  Why wasn’t forced inoculation on any ballot? I just had to take one to get a POS job that nobody would help me get out of. People are so foolish.
  
  Report this comment
elosogrande
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:55am
My guess is that many unusable weapons are brought in exchange for the gift cards, which are sold for cash. The cash is then used to buy better quality firearms.

The gang bangers have been doing it in Chicago for years! They’re not stupid. The politicians are the stupid ones!

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- 4wheels
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 11:05am
  yup – I have a rolm .22 short that I am just waiting to sell to the government for some extremely high price. But your not getting either one of my springfields.
  
  Report this comment
- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 11:31am
  The program gives you a relatively small gift certificate to a “local merchant.” Chances are, that merchant is not a gun shop. Try to actually read the story.
  
  Report this comment
- rosegrower
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 12:23pm
  @Publius
  And what better way for a gang banger to get rid of a hot gun than to trade it in for a gift certificate, which they will then sell on the street for pennies on the dollar? Do you imagine that the people handing out the certificates look the guns over and match firing patterns when they receive them? Frankly, this may get weapons off the street that have been used in murders, but it ensures there will be no way to trace the gun back to its former owner once in the hands of the do-gooders.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 2:31pm
  Pencilhead
  There are a couple of posts that seem real lonely without your 2 worthless cents.
  
  Report this comment
Locked
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:50am
Not a bad deal, and not unconstitutional, but I’d prefer to keep my guns, thanks.

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- Jenny Lind
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 3:24pm
  The question then is, many takers?
  
  Report this comment
geminimoon
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:49am
Seriously, who in their right mind would trade their gun for a $25 – $75 gift card and a flu shot?

I wonder if I can hold my own “Guns for cash” program? Hell, I’d be willing to offer twice the amount they are offering in cold hard cash for your guns and ammo…

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- Reformed
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 11:33am
  Right?
  
  I guess if you’re dumb enough to give your gun away for 50 bucks and a flu shot, you should own one in the first place.
  
  Report this comment
TexPat
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:49am
If this was not so stupid it would be funny. Maybe there is too much sea spray salt in their air that makes them do dumb things. I’ll keep my gun and protect my family. If you read a lot of the literature on flu shots they are not that highly recommended.

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- Stelex
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:59am
  Worcester is well inland, it ain’t the sea salt ……….Progressivism is very alive and well in MA, terminally infected I’d say.
  
  Report this comment
- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 11:34am
  And in all your blustery nonsense you don’t even begin to make the case that it is a dumb program. No one is trying to take away your gun, but one might also saying living in a city with fewer gun deaths is a part of “protecting your family.”
  
  Report this comment
- dtindell1
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 2:57pm
  Pencilman, simply saying the town is safer means nothing. There are hundreds of thousands of towns that have no murders for decades. They count on people like you when they make general statements like that. It has be proven worldwide that when law abiding people don’t have guns crime goes up. That is a matter of fact. They don’t like people knowing those facts. I also think it is stupid to accept guns and not check on their history. A murderer can have his gun destroyed by the govt to cover up his crime and then get another gun and kill again and count on the same program covering up the evidence for him again.
  
  Report this comment
- Gorp
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 3:23pm
  Worcester might not be on the coast but I’ll bet you a flu shot to a doughnut that some from the coast do come inland and infect the healthy people there.
  Just look at progressives. They come to perfectly healthy conservative neighborhoods and start infecting people there. I’m just glad that I “inoculated” my family and children with conservative values long before their arrival and they have been saved.
  
  Report this comment
00100111
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:48am
Sell them to an FFL, you’ll get a lot more than $75 and can buy more groceries. At least then it’ll eventually be sold to someone who would want it and use it. This isn’t something the police should be involved in.

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- PubliusPencilman
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 11:34am
  “This isn’t something the police should be involved in.”
  
  Why?
  
  Report this comment
MGrilla
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:48am
Clearly, G.Washington was referring to our ability to hunt for food when he spoke of our right to bare arm’s.

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- Chromo200
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 12:12pm
  And GW believed in God and Jesus and wanted us to have morals.. which we now the majority don’t believe in or have.
  
  So why would I want to give up my weapon .. When we start having food shortages we can hunt you down for food. When you are really hungry, you won’t be distinguished from a deer/elk/bison so having a gun to hunt food is necessary to have at home.
  
  Report this comment
- Old Ogre
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 12:42pm
  Clearly the second amendment was to protect yourself from an abusive and tyrannical government!
  
  Report this comment
- Buck Bagaw
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 1:37pm
  The Second Amendment has absolutely nothing to do with hunting or procurement of food, it’s all about personal and state security. Also it’s Bear Arms, not ‘bare arms’ unless you need a right to go without sleeves.
  
  Report this comment
- bobfrommosinee
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 8:05pm
  Now just how obtuse are you?
  
  “And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the Press, or the rights of Conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms; …”
  Samuel Adams
  
  “I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.”
  George Mason
  
  “The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full posession of them.”
  Zachariah Johnson
  Elliot’s Debates, vol. 3 “The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution.”
  
  “… the people are confirmed by the next article in their right to keep and bear their private arms”
  Philadelphia Federal Gazette
  June 18, 1789, Pg. 2, Col. 2
  Article on the Bill of Rights
  
  “To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”
  Richard Henry Lee
  American Statesman, 1788
  
  “Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety
  
  Report this comment
- bobfrommosinee
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 8:16pm
  Pro Gun Control
  “Our main agenda is to have all guns banned. We must use whatever means possible. It doesn’t matter if you have to distort the facts or even lie. Our task of creating a socialist America can only succeed when those who would resist us have been totally disarmed.”
  Sara Brady
  Chairman, Handgun Control Inc, to Senator Howard Metzenbaum
  The National Educator, January 1994, Page 3.
  
  Report this comment
qpwillie
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:47am
So the next time a crook breaks into your house and threatens to harm you and your family, just threaten to give them a flu shot and a gift card. That’ll send him running.

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- Buck Bagaw
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 1:39pm
  Only if he hates to shop and is afraid of needles.
  
  Report this comment
Metallicat
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:46am
shouldnt that say that a family member is 22 times more likely to kill you than a stranger?
which,despite the method of violence used, is a truth of human relations based in personal relationships. guns dont kill people,people kill people.

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- objectivetruth
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:53am
  Thank you.Couldn’t have said it more clearly.I bet though that there is a spike in knife murders though.
  Take away one weapon another will be found.Its the disarmed man women who is most dangerous,
  
  Report this comment
- Gorp
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 3:35pm
  Baseball Bats! Now that’s the way to go. You can murder someone then go and play a game. Although, I suppose knives work the same way, in a way. You can stab someone to death then cut your steak with it. You can shoot someone with a gun but does it work for you shoot your steak? While it’s alive, yes but not while it’s on your plate.
  
  Report this comment
Tigress1
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:46am
Well, if people are dumb enough to sell their souls for an Obamaphone, they also are dumb enough to give up their Right to Bear Arms for a flu shot and gift card.

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geminicontender
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:41am
Obama is already giving those things out for free…..why turn in a good firearm for what our Messiah already hands out.

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quiltgal
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:41am
Step right up, Americans! Step right, up! Trade in your Constitutional rights for a free gift card!

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huey6367
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:41am
“A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to kill a friend or family member …”

And a gun not in the home is infinitely more likely to leave you dead.

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freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:40am
Guns are pretty expensive worth more than $50-$75. Legal gun owners would be aware of that and would at least sell the gun to a pawn shop or gun shop for close to the guns value. Wonder how many of these have, potentially, been involved in criminal acts? With no questions asked too. hmm

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midnightsun
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:39am
Seriously! “A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to kill a family member or friend than to kill an intruder,” the text proclaims. “With gun ownership comes the responsibility of storing guns locked, unloaded and inaccessible to kids.” That is such BS. I’ve had guns in my home for over 20 years, have raised two boys-one is now in law enforcement-and am now raising a teenage daughter. All three of the kids know gun safety and the only time my daughter touches a gun is when we are at the range and she’s pretty darn good! (Let’s see if The Blaze posts my Post this time around. The other post-so far-didn’t make it!

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- Gorp
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 3:46pm
  @Midnightsun: Sometimes it takes quite a while for posts to show up. Some of mine have taken up to 15 minutes. Sometimes I just close down the browser and go do something else before it shows up. It might have to do with how busy the comments are coming in.
  
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Just_Us2
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:39am
Without a gun in the home, people are 22 times more likely to kill you by means other than a gun…but you are just as dead. Time to ban knives, ropes, blunt objects, cars, and poison. While we are at it, let’s charge politicians with felony perjury every time they lie to the electorate…after all….don’t we get thrown in jail if we lie to our politicians?

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Thighmaster
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:39am
You call this a bargain ? Is there really anyone out there stupid enough to actually believe criminals give up the tools of their trade for a flu shot ? Citizens who give up their guns have more to worry about than getting the flu… Watch any movie, what’s the first thing bad guys and police do ? Disarm everyone else…

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MGrilla
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:37am
Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.
George Washington
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.
George Washington
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgewash146838.html#Uyq3T7u1tRZvvXEo.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html#uZmSttZw1O1lWH0t.99

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midnightsun
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:37am
Seriously: “A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to kill a family member or friend than to kill an intruder,” the text proclaims. “With gun ownership comes the responsibility of storing guns locked, unloaded and inaccessible to kids.” BS, I’ve had a gun in my home for over 20 years and raised two boys and am now raising a daughter and have never had any problems.

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- Daddy Hawg
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 1:51pm
  The only reason it is 22 times more likely is criminals have a tendency to avoid a home in which there may be firearms.
  
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oldguy49
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:35am
so……………liberals want you to be healthy and well fed so you are capable of running like hell from a bad guy with a gun

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BlackCrow
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:33am
I’m going to trade you a 500+ dollar handgun or a 1000+ rifle for a flu shot and a 50 dollar gift card? You are HIGH!

I wonder how many of those guns are inoperable or stolen?

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- 00100111
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:52am
  An FFL holder should be nearby handing out business cards letting people know he’ll buy them for a lot more than $75.
  
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Rational Man
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:33am
That’s funny…..I don’t care who you are…….That’s funny right there!

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jimmyrbowman
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:32am
“A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to kill a family member or friend than to kill an intruder,” the text from “Goods for Guns” proclaims… Hum, please let MA city know that 22 times 0 is still 0. Responsible gun owners don’t have anything to worry about!

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- travlman77
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:36am
  I want to know where they arrived at the 22 times statistic.
  
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- Thighmaster
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:41am
  A gun in the home kills no one until it is picked up…
  
  Report this comment
- MGrilla
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:42am
  Your not using gov’t math so that won’t work.
  
  Report this comment
- bigtman
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:22pm
  I know how they arrived at the 22 per cent. It was magic and it sounds goods.
  
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:31am
.
I’d just as soon have the flu……………

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- Thighmaster
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 10:45am
  At least you can get over the flu..
  
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- The-Monk
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 12:12pm
  Hi Spank,
  
  I guess if someone breaks into your house you could sneeze on them.
  
  Damn, can’t even do that if you take the “flu medication”….. : (
  
  Report this comment
- wzanesdad
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 12:49pm
  yeah…the flu’s not that bad…..The east coast is being set up for disaster, I strongly suggest moving west. Go ahead and let the progressives disarm themselves. They’re toast anyway.
  
  Report this comment
- longknifed
  Posted on December 3, 2012 at 2:13pm
  being injected with the very disease and a mix of liquified aluminum is so helpful in preventing it?
  
  Report this comment

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