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Burlington Gun Buy Back Effort Coincides With Newtown Shootings Anniversary

BURLINGTON (CBS) -- The Burlington Police Department hosted a gun buy back effort on Saturday, which coincided with the first anniversary of the mass shooting incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

"Burlington is a safe community and the vast majority of gun owners are responsible, law abiding citizens. This initiative of collecting unwanted guns and weapons addresses a vital public safety and public health issue," Burlington Police Chief Michael Kent said in a prepared statement before Saturday's event.

For the gun buy back effort, the Burlington Police Department joined forces with the Burlington Clergy Group, the Burlington Board of Health and Wegman's Supermarkets, which pledged $50 gift cards for each gun turned in. Each weapon will be safely destroyed.

"Community support is critical to the success of this program; we thank the local churches, clergy, concerned residents, and community leaders who support this initiative," Kent said.

Marcel Chandonnet brought in a 30-year-old shotgun for the buy back program.

"I think it s a good idea to do this. My son's involved in teaching, too. It hit home when that happened last year," Chandonnet said, referring the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, which claimed the lives of 20 young children and six school staff members. "Newtown was on your mind when you brought in the weapon. Yes it was."

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