North OC Times

Anaheim, California witnessed the voluntary surrender of 350 firearms at a gun buyback event on Saturday. The event provided an opportunity for families and others to safely dispose of weapons they no longer required or desired. The collected firearms, which included assault rifles, rifles, and handguns, were handed over to Anaheim Police for melting down.

Participants who turned in eligible, operational firearms received gift cards ranging from $100 to $300, depending on the type of weapon. The gift cards were from Costco, Target, Ralphs and ARCO gas stations.

The event took place at the Brookhurst Community Center in west Anaheim. The array of weapons turned in was extensive and included California-defined assault rifles, short-barreled shotguns, sawed-off shotguns, hunting rifles, a bayonet rifle and numerous handguns. Some of these handguns lacked serial numbers while others were .22-caliber mini revolvers only a few inches in size.

"Helping to securely dispose of unwanted firearms makes our community safer by keeping them from falling into the wrong hands, being used in crime or, heaven forbid, in a tragedy," said Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken. "This is about keeping unwanted guns off our streets and out of our homes while also encouraging safe, lawful and responsible gun ownership. With this event, we all came together to make Anaheim a safer and stronger community."

The Anaheim Police Department led the event with support from other local police departments including Fullerton, Orange, Buena Park, Brea, Placentia and La Habra. Drive-thru stations were set up where residents could easily dispose of unwanted firearms in a safe and convenient setting.

Participants received up to $300 in gift cards per vehicle for handing in firearms. Inoperable guns, wooden gun devices and ammunition were also accepted as part of a community service initiative without any gift cards being offered.

The buyback allowed residents of Anaheim and neighboring cities to turn in firearms with no questions asked. No identification or other information was required, a move designed to encourage as many people as possible to participate.

By facilitating the safe disposal of unwanted firearms, Anaheim aims to reduce the risk of lethal weapons being stolen, used in crime or involved in accidental shootings or suicides.

The buyback event was supported by the offices of Orange County Supervisors Doug Chaffee and Vicente Sarmiento. California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined Mayor Aitken and Supervisors Chaffee and Sarmiento at the event.