Sheriff’s deputies collected 184 firearms at a gun buy back event in Lemon Grove on Saturday, department officials said.
People were given a $100 gift card for each handgun, rifle and shotgun they turned over and $200 gift cards for each assault weapon and ghost gun, which are often created from kits and don’t have serial numbers, making them nearly impossible to trace.
Guns are handed over anonymously and taken with no questions asked. The collected guns are then processed. Those that were used in a crime will be referred to the law enforcement agency handling the investigation. If a gun was reported stolen, the owner will be contacted.
The rest will be destroyed.
Aside from collecting unwanted guns, authorities handed out free cable locks and gun safety lock boxes at the event, held at First Baptist Church on Main Street north of San Miguel.
Other agencies partnering in the event included the District Attorney’s Office, La Mesa Police Department, Probation Department and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Division of Adult Parole Operations.
