The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department collected more than 150 firearms at a buy-back event in Vista Saturday.
The event, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the North County Regional Center at 325 S. Melrose Drive, offered community members a chance to safely dispose of unwanted firearms.
A total of 152 firearms were turned in during the event, according to the sheriff’s department.
Residents turned in handguns, rifles and shotguns in exchange for $100 gift cards, while those who surrendered assault weapons or ghost guns received $200 gift cards.
Free gun cable locks and security boxes also were handed out at the event.
Any firearms found to have been involved in a crime will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. If any guns are found to be stolen, the original owners will be contacted. All remaining weapons will be destroyed in accordance with the law.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Oceanside police and city of Vista provided support for the event.
