Fredericksburg Raises $6,000 at First 'Gun Give-Back' Event

Fredericksburg Police and the Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Office collected 60 guns in the city’s first “gun give-back” event Saturday, Dec. 13.

Initiated by Fredericksburg City Councilor Chuck Frye, the event intended to act as a safe way to get guns off the streets, according to City police spokeswoman Natalia Bledsoe.

Gun models and serial numbers are being entered into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and National Criminal Information Center to ensure none of those donated have been stolen or used in a crime, The Free Lance-Star reports. Guns that are not flagged will be melted and recycled after 90 days.

The event was sponsored by local philanthropist Doris Buffett, who gave $100 donations to local charities for each firearm voluntarily surrendered by police. The event raised approximately $6,000 in charity donations to Empower House, Cops and Kids (Shop with a Cop), Micah Ministries, Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter.

Bledsoe said the $100 charitable donation offer would remain in effect for those who turn in guns over the next three months.

Images: Courtesy of Robert Martin (Source: Facebook)