150 Firearms Turned In At First-Ever Sonoma County Gun Buyback

PETALUMA, CA — Residents voluntarily turned in 150 firearms in the City of Petaluma Gun Buyback event held Saturday at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.

The four-hour event was the first-ever buyback held in Petaluma and Sonoma County, and was hosted and coordinated by the City of Petaluma Police, Finance and Public Works departments.

The Petaluma Police Department thanked members of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad and officers from the Santa Rosa Police Department for their presence and assistance at the event as well.

There were 59 rifles turned in, 89 shotguns and two assault weapons.

Of the weapons turned in, two were completed 80 percent polymer handgun lowers without affixed DOJ-approved unique serial numbers. One was a ghost gun containing no serial number, brand, or model.

All of the firearms will be destroyed unless they are found to be stolen and returned to their owner.

Up to $100 was offered per handgun or rifle and $200 per assault weapon, with a total of $15,100 cash dispersed at the event.

"The City of Petaluma and the Petaluma Police Department appreciates and thanks residents who participated in making this event a success and helped increase community safety by reducing access to unwanted firearms," city officials said in a news release.