The Coalition Against Gun Violence (CAGV), the city of Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Police Department will host the 6th Anonymous Gun Buyback at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 21. Donors will receive a $100 Smart & Final Gift Card for each handgun or rifle and $200 gift cards for an assault weapon.
“Our past five gun buybacks exceeded all expectations,” said Toni Wellen, CAGV chair emeritus. The group collected 1,169 firearms and 12 assault weapons at prior events.
“We know that these weapons will never be used in a homicide, suicide or accidental shooting, therefore many homes and our community are safer,” Wellen said.
The event is designed to protect the identity of those turning in guns, even illegal guns, which are accepted under the supervision of Santa Barbara Police Department.
Participants will be asked to place firearms in the trunk of their car and enter the queue. Police will contact drivers, remove the firearms, and provide a chit under the windshield wiper to exchange for the appropriate value in gift cards. Guns are disposed of under the care of SBPD.
“Every child lost to gun violence is your child. Each death diminishes us. Silence is not an option—inaction is not an option,” Wellen said. “Where there are more guns, there are more gun deaths.”
Each year in the U.S. more than 40,000 people die by gun violence and suicide by gun.
Statistically, having a gun in your home is more dangerous for you and your family, especially if you have young children or teens. Although it is impossible to know the intent of a gun purchase, it is notable that people who purchased firearms during the pandemic are 70 percent more likely to be suicidal than other firearm owners.
Event sponsors: city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Police Department, Supervisors Gregg Hart, Joan Hartmann and Das Williams, Carpinteria Mayor Wade Nomura, Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, District Attorney Joyce Dudley, Democratic Women of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee, and Smart & Final.