WORCESTER, Mass. - Communities in Worcester County will participate in an annual gun buyback program this weekend.

Since its inception more than two decades ago, the gun buyback has collected more than 4,000 unwanted firearms.

Law enforcement and health experts held a kick-off event Thursday, emphasizing this program is for unwanted guns. Residents will be reimbursed for the firearms - $50 for a rifle, $100 for a pistol and $150 for a semi-automatic weapon of any kind. Free trigger locks will also be given out.

"We're not talking about the Second Amendment here,” said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early, Jr. “We're talking about guns. They get into the hands of those suffering from depression, who might be suicidal, and, as the doctor told us a little while ago, two-thirds of the gun deaths in the United States are people who own guns using the guns on themselves."

Worcester's medical director Dr. Michael Hirsh said most 5 and 6-year-olds are strong enough to pull the trigger on the average handgun. He also said 90% of suicide attempts with a gun are fatal, compared to just 4% of those not involving a gun.

"Every once in a while, you'll get a family that says, 'you know, you're right, it's too much risk because I’ve got a depressed teenager at home, my husband has anger management issues and I’m worried about domestic violence, that I want to get rid of the gun,'” Hirsh said. “Where do they get rid of the gun? It's not so easy."

Six locations will be collecting guns in the area Saturday including police departments in Worcester, Charlton and Northborough.

The guns will be destroyed at City Welding in Worcester, with parts being donated to the Guns to Gardens program.