From buying revolvers, semi-automatic handguns, to shotguns and even privately manufactured rifles without serial numbers from the community, Stockton authorities accepted them all this weekend to make city streets safer.
The Stockton Police Department held its fourth gun buyback event in an effort to reduce crime involving firearms within the city. Nearly 170 were collected by the end of the day, including eight illegal weapons.
David Scott, Stockton Police Department public information officer, said the event was funded by Stockton City Council, as part of efforts to reduce gun violence in the community.
“We are providing those financial compensations for them voluntarily bringing in those weapons,” Scott said. “The compensation that’s given is $200 and $400 depending on the type of firearm.”
For those looking to drop off firearms, the process is simple and doesn’t take long.
“It’s a real easy process and a real seamless process to get in and drop off your weapons and then leave,” Scott said.
Once the firearms are collected, Scott said they go through a testing process known as IBIS, Integrated Ballistics Identification System, to see if they are connected to any crimes.
“That will be documented but as far as any other follow up there is no follow up to be done and will just be documented,” Scott said.
This may cause concern within the community but Scott noted there wasn’t much to fear.
“A lot of concern, you know, are these weapons? But historically any of these guns that are turned in are related to a crime is very minimal,” Scott said.
After going through the IBIS process and documented into the database, Scott said the afterlife of the firearms follows with being destroyed to prevent it from going to unwanted hands.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get, but youre gonna get something,” Scott said.
By mid morning, the department had already collected about 120 weapons.
“Which is super successful, and we’re just about halfway through as we speak,” Scott said, adding that they’re happy for whatever they are receiving. “We’re just happy that each gun that we get could potentially not end up into the wrong hands.”
For community members who missed the event and would like to participate, Scott says they plan on holding buybacks in the future, which are typically advertised through social media.
Correction: It was previously reported that this event is held annually. However, the event is held quarterly.
Where and how are these events promoted? And what guarantees are there that the weapons will actually be destroyed and not broken down and sold for parts as has happened in the past?