Santa Clara County Launches Unwanted Firearms Turn-In Campaign

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA -- Santa Clara County officials have launched a campaign urging residents with unused guns to turn in weapons around the clock, any day of the year, without waiting for a gun buyback event.

Unlike the buybacks, the Firearms Relinquishment Program won't be anonymous, but Sheriff's officials said Monday, May 6 that the program is supposed to be "no questions asked."

"We're not gonna ask any questions about where you got it, what it is, or anything like that," Smith said. "Also, if it's an illegal firearm that they're turning in, we will not follow up on that."

Illegal firearms include assault rifles that may have been legal to purchase in previous years, but are now subject to different laws. Owners can drive to the sheriff's office with unloaded weapons in their trunk, inform deputies that they're turning in guns, and deputies will recover the weapons from their car.

The person turning in the gun will provide their name and receive a receipt, and officials will run the firearm through their system to determine if the gun has been stolen. Smith said stolen guns will be returned to their owners, and the remaining weapons will be destroyed.

If the sheriff's office suspects that the firearm has been used in the commission of a crime, the gun will also undergo a ballistic test. The person who turned in the weapon will then be considered a witness.

Supervisor Cindy Chavez said the program hopes to address suicides by firearms in homes where guns are not actively used and accidental injuries to adults and children.

The Sheriff's Office headquarters at 55 West Younger Ave., San Jose, will accept guns 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other drop-off locations during business hours are the West Valley Division at 1601 South De Anza Blvd., Cupertino and South County Station at 80 West Highland Ave., San Martin.

Bay City News contributed to this report.