Gun Buyback Coming Up In San Mateo County

REDWOOD CITY, CA – A gun buyback program, coming up in San Mateo County, will offer residents, who wish to give up their weapons, up to $100 for handguns, shotguns or rifles and up to $200 for assault rifles -- with no questions asked.

Set for Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1402 Maple St. in Redwood City, the event is being organized by “Citizens for a San Mateo County Gun Buyback,” a San Carlos-based citizen group, with support from San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos G. Bolanos, Redwood City Police Chief Dan Mulholland and Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Francisco/San Mateo.

“We are thankful to have citizens who are dedicated to creating safer communities, and we are happy to facilitate anyone who is interested in getting rid of unwanted and unsecured guns in exchange for some money,” said Sheriff Bolanos.

The citizen group has garnered support from cities including San Carlos, Belmont, Burlingame, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, Redwood City, San Mateo, Woodside and Portola Valley.

“The Redwood City Police Department appreciates the opportunity to partner in this gun buyback event," said Redwood City Police Chief Mulholland. "This event provides an excellent opportunity to increase community safety by collecting unwanted firearms and ensuring their safe disposal rather than risk them falling into the wrong hands.”

Participants are asked to place the weapons, unloaded, in vehicle trunks during transport.

The funds are limited, organizers said, adding that the cash one individual receives also may be limited regardless of the numbers of guns surrendered. For more information, call (650) 363-4800.

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