Police in Fall River and New Bedford held a Guns for Groceries event Saturday in an effort to get guns off the street.
“The goal is public safety,” said Matt Roy, assistant vice chancellor for career and civic engagement at UMass Dartmouth and a leader for Guns for Groceries.
Those who brought guns to either Blessed Trinity Church in Fall River or Pilgrim United Church of Christ in New Bedford were given Stop and Shop Gift Cards and Dominos Pizza Gift Certificates.
Fall River Police Lt. Jason Pacheco says they surpassed this year's goal.
The program has collected more than 3,000 guns since its inception in 1995.
Father Rob Nemkovich at Blessed Trinity Church says the event is valuable, no matter how many guns are collected.
"If one of these guns fell in the wrong hands, it's worth it just for one. [There are] no questions asked, and it makes the community safer," said Nemkovich.
If you missed the event and would like to turn an unwanted gun in, call your local police department.