Firearms Exchanged For Gift Cards At Gun Buyback In Santa Barbara

The Coalition Against Gun Violence and the Santa Barbara Police Department partnered up for a second time to host a gun buyback event Saturday.

People drove their cars into the Earl Warren Showgrounds parking lot and handed over unwanted firearms.

In return, they were given $100 Vons gift cards for turning in handguns, shotguns and rifles.

People who turned in assault weapons were given a $200 Vons gift card.

The police department said 207 firearms were collected, including 98 handguns, 86 rifles, 22 shotguns and one assault weapon.

The firearms will be entered into a database.

Any firearms found to be stolen will be returned to the owner if possible.

The rest of the weapons will be transported to Los Angeles and destroyed.

Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson said the buyback isn’t just about stopping crime, but preventing all senseless violence.

“All of the research and all of the studies have shown that most gun violence, accidental gun violence, occurs in the family home. If we can get people to get rid of guns that they don’t want in their homes, it’s going to save lives. We know that for older people when they suffer depression, if there is a gun in the house they are more likely to commit suicide. Accidents with children are more likely to happen if there are firearms in the home.” Jackson said.

Jackson has worked on a number of gun violence bills in the wake of the Isla Vista massacre, including SB 347, which would add people who have committed crimes associated with gun violence to a list prohibiting them from possessing a firearm for a period of ten years.

Jackson said the bill passed in the Senate and is now in the hands of the Assembly.

The Coalition Against Gun Violence also used the buyback event as an opportunity to educate people about new gun laws in California.

“It is the law now, if you have children 18 or under and you have firearms in your home that your firearm must be unloaded and locked securely and separate from the ammunition,” said Toni Wellen.

The coalition, which raised $20,000 to sponsor the buyback, said it considers the event a success.

However, the group is hoping the city will help with funding for future events.