Gun buyback in Milpitas to reduce gun violence
For release on April 26, 2022
CONTACT:
Chris Arriola
Supervising Deputy District Attorney
Community Prosecution Unit
(408) 792-2978
Gun buyback in Milpitas to reduce gun violence
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is partnering with the Milpitas Police Department, the City of Milpitas, the County, Supervisor Otto Lee, and the Board of Supervisors to buy back up to $50,000 worth of guns to prevent gun violence and get unwanted firearms out of the community.
The gun buyback will take place May 22, 2022, at the Milpitas Community Center. People can anonymously hand in unwanted guns and receive cash in return. No questions will be asked about who owns the guns or where they came from.
“Our community has grieved over too many victims of gun violence," DA Jeff Rosen said. "Let's come together to make our County safer and get unwanted guns off the streets.”
“Gun buyback programs are about more than simply taking crime guns off the street,” said MPD Chief Jared Hernandez. “Every gun we receive is one less gun available that could be used in a suicide or domestic violence, stolen in a burglary, or accidentally discharged by an unsuspecting child.”
Buybacks are intended to prevent weapons from ending up in the hands of criminals, mentally unstable people, and children. Approximately 500 unwanted firearms were handed in at the Sunnyvale gun buyback in 2020.
Additional event partners include the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, and the police departments of San Jose, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, and Palo Alto. The DA’s Office will contribute to the buyback using Asset Forfeiture funds, which is money seized from gangs, drug traffickers, and criminal organizations.
Event Details:
- Location: Milpitas Community Center (457 East Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035)
- Date: Sunday, May 22, 2022
- Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Exchange Details:
- $100 for handguns, rifles, and shotguns, $200 for ghost guns and assault weapons
- Firearms must be functional
- Limit 5 firearms per person
* After collection, guns will be checked for a lost or stolen status and will be returned to their legal owners, if applicable. All other firearms will be destroyed. All guns must be unloaded and transported in the trunk of your car. You must remain in your car. No ammunition is allowed. Funds are limited to a first come, first serve basis. We reserve the right to limit the funds paid to an individual (see exchange details).
If you know someone who may be a danger to themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. For information on gun safety, visit the County Behavioral Health Services Gun Safety webpage.
If you would like to learn more about the Gun Violence Restraining Order law, visit the Speak for Safety website.
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