San Marcos residents unloaded more than just clutter at a county gun safety event yesterday, handing over 266 unwanted firearms in exchange for gift cards, according to deputies. The no-questions-asked drop-off ran from 8 AM to 1 PM at the San Marcos Sheriff's Station and was open to anyone who wanted to anonymously relinquish a gun. Organizers said the event is part of a continuing push to get unwanted firearms out of circulation.
As reported by Fox 5 San Diego, county officials confirmed the total and described the turnout as a strong showing for a single-day collection. Deputies emphasized safety procedures during the hand-off and thanked participants for bringing the guns to the station instead of leaving them sitting in homes or cars.
How the exchange worked
According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, people turning in handguns, rifles or shotguns received $100 gift cards, while those surrendering assault-style weapons or ghost guns walked away with $200 cards. Free firearm lock boxes and trigger locks were also available while supplies lasted. Donors were instructed to arrive with weapons unloaded, stowed in their trunks, and to wait for directions from a deputy before handing anything over.
What happens to the guns
Officials told Fox 5 San Diego that every firearm collected will be processed. If a weapon turns out to be stolen, law enforcement will contact the original owner, and any gun linked to a crime will be referred to the appropriate agency. The rest are slated for destruction in line with local law.
Why the county runs buybacks
Gun safety events like this are one prong of a broader county strategy. A recent San Diego County report notes that the Sheriff's Department and its partners oversaw four events in fiscal year 2024-25 that brought in 504 firearms and distributed dozens of safes and locks. The report frames those turn-ins as part of the county's Gun Violence Reduction work plan to limit access to weapons that can be used in crimes or suicides; San Diego County includes the data.
The Sheriff's Office teamed up with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, the police departments of Escondido, Carlsbad and Oceanside, and campus police from Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College for the San Marcos event, NBC 7 San Diego reported. Deputies said the cooperation across agencies helped the drive run smoothly and kept the drop-offs safe and anonymous.
For anyone who missed Saturday's event, the window is still open: residents can bring unwanted firearms to any sheriff's station or substation, or call the non-emergency line to arrange for a deputy to pick them up. Until then, the Sheriff's Office recommends securing guns with cable locks or in safes so they are not easily accessible.
