Stolen Handguns Recovered at Gun Buyback

Nearly 600 firearms, two of which were stolen, were collected at Bensalem Township's anonymous gun buyback events held in February, according to the police department.

"Over the course of two days we received 586 firearms at no cost to taxpayers," Sgt. Andrew Aninsman said.

Cash was given to those who brought in guns, but the money was supplied by the Federal Drug Forfeiture, Aninsman said.

The purpose of the buyback was to get guns off the street and to reduce gun violence, Aninsman told Patch in February. 

"These 586 firearms will never have a chance to be stolen from a victim or sold on the street and will never get into the hands of criminals," he said.

Nine assault rifles, 152 semi-automatic handguns, 134 handguns and 291 rifles were collected on Feb. 6 and 16. Two of which were recovered stolen handguns, Aninsman said.

The anonymous gun buyback program was the first of its kind for Bensalem Township. It was an opportunity for people to surrender their firearms with no questions asked.

Watch a recent B-Town Talk with Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo and Director of Public Safety Fred Harran where they discuss the buyback.