San Marcos CA— 392 unwanted guns were turned in today during the Guns for Gift Cards event at the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station. They include 207 handguns, 173 long guns, and two assault rifles (M-10, M-11). An AK47-style rifle and World War II-era German Luger were also collected. 10 homemade guns, as well as BB, pellet, and air soft guns were turned in, but were not eligible for a gift card. The Guns for Gift Cards event started at 8:00 a.m., but some people lined up as early as 7:15 a.m.
By noon, deputies ran out of gift cards. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department utilized $25,000 in asset forfeiture funds (money or property seized from criminal activity) to purchase the gift cards. Oceanside and Carlsbad Police also contributed $2,500 and $1,000 in asset forfeiture funds to purchase the gift cards.
This event was held in partnership with Oceanside, Carlsbad, Cal State San Marcos, CHP, Escondido, Palomar College Police, as well as the District Attorney’s Office.
Weapons collected today will be checked. If they are stolen or connected to a crime, they will be turned over to the appropriate agency. The rest will be destroyed.