Redwood City – The County of San Mateo and its partners are holding a gun buyback on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
The event will be held at 1000 Skyway Road in San Carlos from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants must transport firearms unloaded in a vehicle trunk or, for trucks and vans, in a locked 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 guns” as classified by the State of California.
“Fewer guns means fewer chances for guns falling into the wrong hands,” said Don Horsley, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and the County’s former Sheriff. “You can keep your family safer if you get rid of unwanted firearms. It’s tragic but over half of all suicides occur with the use of a firearm.”
Reducing gun violence is a top goal of the Board of Supervisors. In 2021, the Board pledged to hold 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 over five buybacks held since May 2018. Total payout is $206,500.
“Our communities are generally safe,” said Supervisor Dave Pine. “But gun violence remains and many tragedies occur due to easily accessible guns. Removing unwanted guns is a significant step to improve community safety.”
Sponsors include the County of San Mateo, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, Redwood City Police, Belmont Police, City of San Carlos and Citizens for a San Mateo County Gun Buyback.
Questions? Call 650-363-4800.
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org