Sheriff's Department Giving 'Gifts for Guns' This Weekend

The following was submitted for publication by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department:

If you have an unwanted gun, you can turn it in this weekend and get a gift card in return, no questions asked. 

Saturday, March 9th 
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
South Bay Courthouse 
500 3rd Avenue 
Chula Vista, CA 91910 
Enter the parking lot off I Street west of Third Avenue 

Questions? Call (619) 476-2453 

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department will utilize $2,500 in asset forfeiture funds to purchase the gift cards. This event is being held in partnership with the Chula Vista Police Department, National City Police Department and the District Attorney's Office. 

There is a limit of one gift card per vehicle. The gift cards can be redeemed at area grocery stores. Anyone participating should place the unloaded firearms in the trunk of their cars. A deputy or police officer will give instructions at the location. All weapons collected will be destroyed. 

"This program gives people an opportunity to get unwanted firearms out of their homes," Sheriff Bill Gore said.  "One woman I spoke to told me that her husband had died and she had his guns in the house. By turning in the guns to us she was able to make sure they didn't get in the hands of her grandkids by accident or in the hands of criminals from a theft. Other people are in a similar circumstance. We want to invite them to join law enforcement in this effort and get a little something in return." 

According to the Chula Vista Police Department:

This is the second gun buyback event held in recent months.  At the first event - held in December of 2012 in southeast San Diego and coordinated by the United African-American Ministerial Action Council, where more than 350 firearms were collected - law enforcement officials announced they would schedule additional dates in other parts of the county.

"Those of us in law enforcement saw a need and we're making good on our promise to increase the number and expand the diverse location of these successful events," said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.  "Gun buyback programs like these are one way we can work to curb gun violence in San Diego County."

If you bring a weapon to the event, remember:

• The firearm must be unloaded
• The firearm must be transported in a locked container, (not the glove box), or in the trunk
• Firearms will be removed from the vehicle by a law enforcement official
• Ammunition will be accepted, but it must be secured separate from any firearm