The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department participated in the Santa Clara County Gun Buyback at the Milpitas Community Center on May 22, which saw more than 400 firearms voluntarily turned in by residents.
Up to $100 was offered per handgun or rifle and $200 per assault weapon or ghost gun. Free gun locks were provided to residents to help promote gun safety.
The event was an effort by Supervisor Otto Lee, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Milpitas Police Department and City of Milpitas, and included law enforcement support from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, and the police departments of San José, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto and Los Gatos.
Firearms from this event will be destroyed unless they are found to be stolen and returned to their owner.
“Together, our community has come one step closer to making Santa Clara County safer by getting unwanted guns off the streets,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “Let’s continue on this same path to end gun violence.”
“We are thankful to all of our neighbors that voluntarily turned in these unwanted firearms today,” Lee said. “When we look at the harm and impacts of gun violence, it’s important to hold these events frequently as a service to our community, to help responsible gun owners with no need for the firearms to dispose of them safely.
“I want us to hold these events annually in various parts of our county to stop incidents of gun violence that are preventable. More than 75% of non-fatal injuries are unintentional or accidental, and self-harm makes up for 60% of gun deaths—the guns we collected today will help save lives.”
