New Bedford Hails Successful Gun Exchange Program

Organizers of a gun exchange program in New Bedford are claiming another success. In its second exchange of the year held last weekend, New Bedford collected 136 guns, after collecting 141 guns in an exchange held in October.

New Bedford Police Chief Ron Teachman said this time the city collected more handguns.

"The demand was overwhelming. And it encourages us to do this again, perhaps early in the spring, and see if we can't get all of Bristol County — if not all of the commonwealth — engaged in the Gun Exchange Day," Teachman said.

"We were very happy about that, because handguns are our preferred exchange weapon, most likely to be used in a crime on the street," Teachman said.

Teachman said city officials expect to hold another gun exchange in the spring.