SMC Gun Buyback Nets 223 Guns Over The Weekend

BELMONT, CA — The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office celebrated the success of its seventh gun buyback event on Saturday in Belmont, facilitating the exchange of 223 guns for cash.

The voluntary events have proven popular, offering residents the chance to offload unwanted firearms for payments between $50 and $200 with no questions asked. Saturday's buyback took place outside the Human Services Agency in Belmont, and the guns recovered included five rifles classified by the state as assault weapons, along with two "ghost guns."

In a social media post, the sheriff's office thanked community members for participating, along with the partners who helped facilitate the event, including the police departments of Belmont, Redwood City, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park.

"We provide a confidential space for community members to surrender firearms they no longer want, and in return, we all play a part in making a positive impact on our community," the sheriff's office wrote. "We have collected over 2,623 firearms to date, and plan to continue this series of events."