Turn in a gun and get cash for it no questions asked! This is how the authorities invite San Mateo County to their December gun buyback event, which with said action seeks to enable residents to offer the gift of security this Christmas season.
Thus, San Mateo County and its partners will carry out a gun buyback on Saturday, December 3.
The event will take place at 1000 Skyway Road in San Carlos from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants must bring the firearms they wish to exchange for money, unloaded in the trunk of a vehicle or, for trucks and vans, in a closed container.
Anyone who turns in a firearm can receive cash: $50 for non-functioning firearms, $100 for handguns, shotguns and rifles, and $200 for assault weapons and "ghost weapons" as classified by the state of California.
“Fewer guns means less chance of guns falling into the wrong hands,” said Don Horsley, chairman of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and a former county sheriff. “You can keep your family safer by getting rid of unwanted firearms. It's tragic, but more than half of all suicides occur with the use of a firearm."
Reducing gun violence is a primary goal of the Board of Supervisors. In 2021, the Board committed to withholding gun buybacks through 2023 with funds from the voter-approved Measure K sales tax that provides local funds for local needs.
The County has collected a total of 2,071 firearms in five repurchases made since May 2018. The total payment has been $206,500.
"Our communities are generally safe," Supervisor Dave Pine said. “But gun violence remains and many tragedies occur due to easily accessible weapons. Removing unwanted weapons is a significant step in improving community safety."
Sponsors include San Mateo County, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, Redwood City Police, Belmont Police, City of San Carlos and Citizens for a San Mateo County Gun Buyback.
Interested parties with questions about what the transactions are like or the weapons that will be purchased can call 650-363-4800.
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