Fountain Valley Residents, the Anaheim Police is Paying $100 for Guns

Fountain Valley, CA-- Tired of the violence? Unsure of what to do with your unused firearm, Orange County? Would a $100 gift card to Kohl's, Target or Walmart help your family more?

The Anaheim Police Department is offering a solution. And it only takes about 10 minutes of your time, no questions asked.

In a press release, the department stated that they will issue $100 gift cards in a weekend weapons-collecting operation this weekend.

The operation will take place Saturday at La Palma Park at 1151 N. La Palma Park Way between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Anaheim police Sgt. Ryan Blackburn stated. But there are rules about the dispersal of these weapons.

Weapons must be unloaded and locked securely in the trunk of a vehicle prior to arrival, Blackburn told the newspaper. People turning in weapons will not be required to submit their names and no questions will be asked, he said.

Safety for the officers is paramount to a weapons collection program such as this, especially in light of the recent attacks on police officers in Dallas.

Eight officers will work the program, which is split into three sections: a checkpoint for gun safety, an area where weapons are collected, and a station where gift cards to establishments such as Kohl's, Target or Walmart will be issued.

"It gives people an opportunity to get rid of guns they might not want,'' he said.

Saturday's collection marks the fourth year the city has run the program, Blackburn said, noting that 233 firearms have been collected since 2013. After the serial numbers are checked to see if the weapons have been tied to past crimes, the weapons are melted down or destroyed.

"This is an opportunity to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands -- it definitely helps out,'' Blackburn said.

City News Service, Shutterstock Photo