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Boston citywide gun buyback program to be announced Monday – Metro US

Boston citywide gun buyback program to be announced Monday

Commanding officer Lt. Joseph Walsh holds a typical handgun confiscated from the streets of Philadelphia, at the Philadelphia Police Department's Firearms Identification Unit (FIU).  Credit: Charles Mostoller  Boston will launch a citywide gun buyback program on Monday. Credit: Charles Mostoller

City and police officials are expected to formally announce today the details of Boston’s first gun buyback program in years.

Mayor Marty Walsh will be making an announcement relative to the city’s anti-violence efforts this afternoon at a park in Dorchester, according to the mayor’s office.

“The Mayor has expressed interest in pursuing a gun buy-back program as onetoolin the toolbox in addressing the violence in our city,” said Kate Norton, Walsh’s spokeswoman.

Boston police said that the initiative will be a city-wide effort. Those who wish to turn-in guns must unload the weapons, put them in a clear plastic bags and if transporting them in a car, must put them in the trunk, police said.

The effort is called “Piece for Peace” and will exchange $200 gift cards for guns and will last until the $100,000 in funds runs out, according to the Globe. Additionally, rifles and shotguns will be accepted, but owners will not receive compensation for those.

Walsh discussed the possibility of starting a city gun buyback program in February shortly after the apparent accidental shooting of a 9-year-old Mattapan boy by his older brother.

Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.