Nearly 200 Guns Swapped For Gift Cards At Nashville Event

NASHVILLE, TN — Nearly 200 guns are off the street after Saturday's edition of Nashville's annual Guns For Gift Cards event.

Metro Police officials said 198 firearms were turned in Saturday, a record-setting amount for the event, which began in 2011.

People could turn in guns — no questions asked — and in return receive a $50 Mapco gift card and a $25 Kroger gift card.

"As the holiday season quickly approaches, it is especially important that we take the time to think about our loved ones, especially children, and whether there are things we can do to help keep them safe. An unwanted gun brought in during the Gift Cards for Guns event is one less firearm that could fall into the wrong hands," Metro Chief of Police Steve Anderson said.

This event is co-sponsored by Nashville Crime Stoppers and local pastors. Officers from the MNPD Training Academy were on hand to ensure that the guns were unloaded and did not pose any immediate danger. The weapons were then turned over to an officer from the police department's property room.

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