Residents Urged To Exchange Guns For Cash And Rays Tickets Oct. 6

BRANDON, FL -- Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister welcomes the Tampa Bay Rays as they pitch in to help in this weekend's Gun Swap.

The Rays will help in the effort to remove unwanted guns off of the streets by donating 5,000 game tickets for the Gun Swap.

"If we help save one life or keep one gun from falling into the wrong hands this weekend, that would be a home run. I could not be more thrilled the Rays have jumped in to help us with that effort," said Chronister. "This is about unwanted guns that people don't want to be responsible for anymore. It is about taking away the opportunity for a child to accidentally find that gun. With these tickets and the financial incentive we are offering, I know we will make a big impact."

Every person who turns in an unwanted gun will get $50 and one voucher for a pair of Tampa Bay Rays tickets!

Cash and tickets will be available only while supplies last.

"This is about responsible gun ownership. On average, 240 guns were taken in car burglaries last year," said Chronister. "As a sheriff, I am responsible for keeping guns out of the hands of bad guys and this is just one more way of accomplishing that."

Guns can be exchanged at two locations on Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

* Falkenburg Road Jail, 520 N Falkenburg Road, Tampa

* Hillsborough County West Service Unit, 9805 Sheldon Road, Tampa

The Gun Swap will be a drive-thru service. Residents will remain in their vehicles. A deputy will approach the vehicle, take the gun and hand the resident an envelope with cash and a voucher. No ID is needed. This is an anonymous event. Deputies are only accepting unloaded firearms. Other items, such as BB guns, will not be accepted. Collected guns will be destroyed.

"Our last Gun Swap was in 2013. Your response was amazing, and with more than 2,500 firearms exchanged, it still stands as one of the nation's most successful swap for cash events," said Chronister.

On Feb. 2, 2013, deputies collected 2,541 firearms, including at least 11 stolen guns and hundreds of illegal weapons. At every one of the five locations, there were lines of cars to get into the event. Deputies distributed $55,000 in cash.

Image via Hillsborough Sheriff

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