14 Guns Surrendered in Westminster Gun Turn-In Program

Fourteen guns were turned in at the Maryland State Police Westminster Barrack Saturday during a statewide gun turn-in initiative. 

Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler (D) said he initiated the event in February during the legislative swirl of gun control bills, The Washington Post reported. A restrictive gun control package for the state was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in April. 

“This gives family members the opportunity to remove illegal and unwanted guns from the home that they fear would be used to harm themselves or others,” Gansler told the newspaper.

The following weapons were collected, according to police:

• 4 revolvers
• 2 pistols or semi automatic handguns
• 6 shotguns
• 2 rifles

Detective Sgt. Tim Mullin of the Westminster State Police Barrack said that he thought 14 was a good number for Carroll County. 

"I didn’t expect this many in this area," Mullin said. "I thought there would be some, maybe as many as 8-10."

In April, Westminster's Common Council rejected hosting a gun turn-in program at the Attorney General's request, saying it seemed too much like gun control. 

The town of Sykesville hosted a gun turn-in program in November 2011 and collected more than 30 firearms and 35 pounds of ammunition.