On Saturday, August 8, the Archdiocese of Baltimore will conduct its annual gun buyback event in Southwest Baltimore, an initiative that has successfully removed over a thousand firearms from the community thus far.
This marks the fourth iteration of the archdiocese’s gun buyback initiative, which has led to the voluntary surrender of 1,056 unwanted firearms. These annual events are part of a sustained effort to reduce the number of unwanted guns in circulation, ultimately making communities safer and prioritizing public safety more accessible to all.
The drive-up event is scheduled to take place in the parking lot of Westside Shopping Center, located at 2413 Frederick Ave. in Baltimore, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Baltimore Police Department will oversee the safe and legal disposal of the firearms. Participants can receive compensation ranging from $100 to $300 per weapon, depending on its type, with no questions asked. It’s important to note that firearms must be functional.
The firearms removed from the community include both assault weapons and stolen guns. So far, over $220,000 has been raised through contributions from Catholic parishes and individual donors for these buybacks, with any surplus funds directly benefiting families affected by homicide.
“Removing weapons from homes can save lives in fragile and volatile situations,” stated Rev. Michael Murphy, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish and the historic St. Joseph’s Monastery, as well as a founding member of Health by Southwest. “It can also prevent tragedies among individuals who might otherwise use a weapon to harm themselves or avoid the risk of firearms falling into the wrong hands for criminal activity.”
According to data from the Maryland health department, in 2025, 610 individuals lost their lives to gun-related incidents in Maryland, including 276 homicides and 322 suicides. A recent study published in the JAMA Health Forum by two UCLA professors in 2026 revealed that restricting access to guns among distressed individuals effectively decreases suicide rates. The research indicates that individuals do not typically turn to alternative methods of suicide when access to firearms is limited.
“Our mission extends beyond the removal of unwanted or unnecessary weapons; it is about fostering a community that values every human life and recognizes the dignity of each individual,” Murphy emphasized. “We achieve this by nurturing genuine relationships within our community.”
The buyback event will feature a blessing for the community as well as remarks from local leaders and dignitaries. Previous events have seen participation from notable figures such as Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, and Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman.
The archdiocese collaborates with Health by Southwest for this annual initiative. Health by Southwest is a coalition of faith leaders and health providers dedicated to enhancing the overall health of residents in Southwest Baltimore. This coalition comprises organizations such as Catholic Charities, Mount Saint Joseph High School, My Brother’s Keeper, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital, and Our Lady of Victory Parish.
