In a significant move to combat gun violence, Stockton police purchased over 100 firearms from local residents this past weekend. The four-hour event, which took place near the waterfront, saw citizens trading in firearms for Visa gift cards, ranging between $200 and $400.
The event unfolded on Saturday morning, with more than 30 vehicles lining up between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. A white police trailer stationed in the parking lot facilitated the exchange. As residents handed over their firearms – from hunting rifles to pistols – they received $200 for legal guns and $400 for illegal weapons, including sawed-off shotguns and "ghost guns" without serial numbers. Officer Omer Edhah confirmed the collection of 112 guns in total.
This initiative, aimed at reducing gun violence in Stockton, comes in response to rising crime numbers. Data from the Stockton police reveals that the city has already witnessed 30 homicides, predominantly involving firearms, and over 1,300 aggravated assaults from January to July.
The city council allocated $225,000 in May to launch this gun buyback program. This marks a significant step, as the city is using its funds for the buyback for the first time. A similar event in 2013, which collected 65 guns, was financed through donations from then-mayor Anthony Silva and Vanco Truck & Auto Plaza.
Privacy and anonymity were core components of Saturday's buyback. Participants were not required to present identification, and officers did not record any vehicle license plates. While many of the collected firearms seemed to be hunting rifles, there were a few standouts, like a minuscule silver derringer pistol and a crudely made rusty handgun resembling an old pipe, humorously likened to "Jack Sparrow’s gun" by one officer.
The event emphasized that even if not typically associated with crimes, these weapons can still play a role in domestic disputes or get stolen, thereby entering the cycle of criminal activity.
Stockton police department officials have confirmed that all guns collected during this event will be destroyed, ensuring they will never be part of any crime in the future.