“That’s why we’re calling on businesses to help us fund our gun buyback program. We all need to do our part to win the fight against illegal guns. It’s critical to ensure our streets are not only safer today, but for generations to come. The numbers speak for themselves. We can – and must – do better. The lives of our kids depend on it.” – Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch
- WHO: Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, Bridgeport Police Department, and Business Representative.
- WHAT: Announcement of the first contribution from the business community to Bridgeport’s gun buyback program.
- WHEN: Wednesday, June 17 at 10 a.m.
- WHERE: Margaret Morton Government Center, 999 Broad St., Bridgeport, Conn. (Mayor’s Conference Room – 2nd Floor).
Bridgeport, Conn. (June 17, 2015) – Today, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch will be announcing the first major donation from the business community to his gun buyback program.
The announcement comes just days after Mayor Finch called on businesses to assist the city with a gun buyback program following a tragic shooting last week.
Mayor Finch says that the gun buyback program is critical as part of his continued effort to crack down on illegal guns – especially in light of Thursday’s tragic shooting.
“This is not just a Bridgeport problem. This a national problem, and hard-working people in cities across the country are being victimized by weak and ineffective federal gun laws,” said Mayor Bill Finch.
According to the National Center for Injury Prevention, one person is killed in the U.S. by a firearm every 17 minutes, 87 people are killed during an average day, and 609 are killed every week.
Also, between 2000 and 2010, a total of 335,609 people died from guns –more than the population of St. Louis, Mo. (318,069), Pittsburgh (307,484), Cincinnati, Ohio (296,223), Newark, N.J. (277,540), and Orlando, Fla. (243,195).
“We can and must do more to stem the tide of illegal guns that end up on our streets and in the hands of criminals,” said Mayor Finch.“I guarantee that the people responsible for this terrible crime did not legally possess those handguns.” The question is how did they end up in their hands – and what can we do to prevent more weapons from ending up in the hands of criminals?”
The goal of the program is to raise $100,000 to help take 1,000 guns off of the streets. Mayor Finch, stated that the city will start the fund with $25,000 and are calling on the business community for an additional $75,000.
“That’s why we’re calling on businesses to help us fund our gun buyback program. We all need to do our part to win the fight against illegal guns. It’s critical to ensure our streets are not only safer today, but for generations to come,” said Mayor Finch. “The numbers speak for themselves. We can – and must – do better. The lives of our kids depend on it.”
Mayor Finch has advocated for stronger gun laws at a state and national level since his tenure as a state senator. And, as mayor, he launched a successful gun buyback program that has taken more than 1,000 guns off the streets.
“Those are weapons that can never be used to hurt or kill someone,” said Mayor Finch.
The city also distributed hundreds of free gun locks to ensure legally owned guns are stored safely and to help prevent accidental shootings.
Businesses interested in contributing to the gun buyback effort can do so by calling Mayor Finch’s office at (203) 576-7201.