The Guns for Giftcards event brought in 90 unwanted firearms on Saturday during the drive-through event at the South Bay Court House.
The event was hosted in the South Bay Court House Parkinglot in the 500 block of Third Avenue in Chula Vista, according to the San Diego County Sherriff’s Department. Participants recieved a $100 gift card for handguns, rifles, and shotguns and a $200 gift card for assault weapons.
According to Imperial Beach Sheriff’s Lt. Juan Marquez, there was about $40,000 worth of gift cards, including $30,000 gift cards from Target, $8,000 to Shell Gasation, and $2,000 from Costco.
“Who doesn’t need the extra money right now with inflation and rising gas prices?” Lt. Marquez told OnScene T.V.
All collected weapons will be processed, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Any firearm that comes back as being involved in a crime will be followed up with the appropriate law enforcement agency. If any guns are found to be stolen, the original owners will be contacted.
All remaining weapons will be destroyed, Sheriff's officials said.
According to Chula Vista Police Sgt. Anthony Molina, the Guns for Giftcards event is “to get guns off the street for various reasons and to keep the community safe”.
The Sheriff's Department and Imperial Beach Sheriff's Substation hosted the event in partnership with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, Chula Vista Police Department, San Diego Police Department, Coronado Police Department, Harbor Police Department, National City Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
South Bay residents who missed this event, but have an unwanted firearm may turn in their unwanted weapons at any sheriff's station or substation. For a list of Sheriff's patrol stations, click here. You can also call the Sheriff's non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.
