San Diego sets its sights on reducing gun violence with an upcoming event that aims to make the streets a little safer, one firearm at a time. In a unique collaborative effort, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department is joining forces with the District Attorney's Office and the Oceanside Police Department to host a Gun Safety Event where residents are encouraged to surrender unwanted guns in exchange for a pretty penny — or rather, a handsome gift card.
According to the official announcement, the event scheduled for Sunday, December 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North County Regional Center in Vista, promises to anonymously relieve participants of their firearms, with no questions asked. Gun owners can expect to get a gift card — $100 for turning in handguns, rifles, and shotguns, and a heftier $200 for those looking to part with assault weapons or ghost guns. The only catch — and it's a sensible one at that — the firearms must be in working order.
Details provided on the Sheriff's Department website outline the straightforward drop-off process: participants should arrive with their unloaded guns stowed in the trunk of their vehicle. Then, a deputy or officer will generously provide instructions, ensuring the weapon is safely transferred from the trunk to its final destination — destruction.
But the efforts don't stop at merely collecting unwanted guns. The department also plans to help secure the firearms that remain in circulation. They will be giving away FREE gun cable locks and security boxes, on a while-supplies-last basis, to help gun owners responsibly secure their weapons at home. To learn more or to download the event flyer in English or Spanish, gun owners are encouraged to visit the Sheriff's Department's website.
For locals who want to stay updated, can follow the Sheriff's Department on their social media platforms, like Instagram @SDSheriff. Any media outlets or morning shows with inquiries about the event, are invited to reach out to Sammy Castañon of Sheriff's Media Relations at [email protected].
