El Cerrito: Get Cash for Your Firearms at Gun Buyback

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Marin County District Attorney’s Office is sponsoring a one-day gun buyback event on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at five drop-off locations throughout Marin, including Novato, San Rafael, Corte Madera, Pt. Reyes Station and Mill Valley.

From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. the day of the event, residents of Marin, Sonoma, San Francisco and Contra Costa counties are eligible to surrender operable firearms for cash compensation, no questions asked. Proof of residency is required, either by a valid ID or a utility bill.

The DA's office will pay $200 for operable semi-automatic guns and assault rifles and $100 for any other operable firearm — with a compensation limit of three firearms per person. Weapons of any type, condition or vintage will be accepted. Scopes, magazines, and ammunition will also be accepted but there is no compensation for such items.

Drop-off locations include:

• Marin California Highway Patrol, 53 San Clemente Drive, Corte Madera
• Novato Police Department, 909 Machin Ave., Novato
• Mill Valley Police Department, One Hamilton Drive, Mill Valley
• San Rafael Police Department, 1400 Fifth Ave., San Rafael
• Marin County Sheriff's Point Reyes Substation, 101 4th St., Pt. Reyes Station

Individuals wishing to participate must ensure that all weapons are safe and unloaded prior to transport to the drop-off location. Weapons should be secured in the trunk or rear cargo area of their vehicle, completely out of reach of the driver or occupants of the vehicle.

Once at the drop-off site, residents are asked to remain in their vehicle and not handle their weapons. A law enforcement official will approach each vehicle and ask for a description of the weapon and its location in the vehicle. They will then ask the person to open their trunk or cargo area in order to retrieve the weapon and ensure it is secure and unloaded.

The Central Marin Police Authority, which is assisting at the CHP drop-off location in Corte Madera, said anyone in CMPA's jurisdiction who may be unsure about how to unload their firearm or verify that it is unloaded may call 415-927-5150 for assistance. An officer will come to their home, check the weapon and assist with the surrender process.

The District's Attorney's Office then destroys all the weapons bought from residents.

By Maggie Avants, Patch; Image via Marin County District Attorney's Office