Residents of the City of Allentown have an opportunity to rid themselves of unwanted firearms and receive a gift card in return. The city will conduct a Gun Buyback Program on Saturday, May 4 from 10am-2pm at Iglesia Christiana Emmanuel Church at 113 N. Eighth Street.

The gun buyback program is a collaborative effort on the part of Mayor Ed Pawlowski and the members of Allentown City Council and is being coordinated by the Allentown Police Department. It is the city’s second gun buyback program in the last ten months.

More than 100 weapons were turned in at a gun buyback event in the city last July, including 70 handguns.

“Residents can rid themselves of unwanted guns safely and properly while simultaneously receiving something useful and valuable,” said Pawlowski. “I’m grateful that City Council is partnering with the administration and the police department in this effort.”

The program will be staffed by members of the Allentown Police Department who will be accepting the firearms in exchange for gift cards from K-Mart. A police firearms expert will examine the weapons. Persons intending to turn-in a firearm are requested to produce current photo identification or two forms of current non-photo identification. The firearm should be brought to the location unloaded.

Officers will issue a $100 K-Mart Gift Card for functional weapons, $15 for non-functional weapons and $10 for a BB or Airsoft gun for participating in the event.

The program will take place on Saturday, May 4 rain or shine. Persons taking part in the program are asked not to arrive at the church before 10am. Parking will be available in the front of the church and in the parking lot on Turner Street between Eighth and Ninth streets. An APD patrol vehicle and fire police will be present in the parking lot.
                                                                      --30--