The Maui Police Department held a gun buyback event last Saturday at the Maui County Service Center in Kahului. A total of 126 guns were collected. The event was part of the department’s ongoing efforts to reduce gun-related incidents, as reported by the Maui Police Department.
The haul included 45 handguns, 45 rifles, and 36 shotguns. Police also recovered three illegal firearms: a fully automatic AK-47 and two sawed-off shotguns. A total of 122 gift cards, worth $12,200, were given to participants in exchange for the surrendered weapons, as stated by the Maui Police Department.
According to the Maui Police Department on their Facebook page, Police Chief John Pelletier said the recent gun buyback event had strong community participation. "We are encouraged by the strong community response to this gun buyback program, and we sincerely thank everyone who participated," he said. The program allowed people to turn in unwanted firearms. The department stated that each gun collected helps reduce the chance of gun-related incidents. "Every firearm turned in is one less opportunity for tragedy—and one more step toward a safer community," Pelletier said.
