As we approach the close of 2023, California is still gearing up for several upcoming gun buyback California 2023 events. These events, spread across various counties, offer a safe and responsible way for residents to contribute to community safety and gun violence prevention by disposing of unwanted firearms. This guide provides all the essential details for those looking to participate in one of these upcoming events.
If you're weighing the decision to participate in a gun buyback but aren't sure if it's the right choice for you, check out our guide, California Gun Buyback Events: Everything You Need To Know.
Upcoming Gun Buyback Events In Northern California 2023
So far in 2023, California has seen a myriad of successful gun buyback events. However, the upcoming gun buyback programs for the remaining months in 2023 are mostly located in Northern California. Specifically, both Alameda County and Santa Clara County have upcoming gun buyback events. Further, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office holds a year-round gun buyback at several of their stations.
Alameda County, CA
Oakland – November 18, 2023
Oakland Police Department, in collaboration with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, is sponsoring a "Guns To Gardens" gun buyback event on Saturday, November 18, 2023. This upcoming gun buyback California 2023 event will be hosted at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Oakland. It's a no-questions-asked opportunity to turn in firearms in exchange for gift cards and the chance to make a positive impact. The guns that are collected at this event will be transformed into beautiful tools for gardening. This event is a great opportunity for people in Alameda County to contribute to gun safety in their community. It's a unique initiative that transforms potential violence into symbols of growth and nurture. As Minister Payton Skillet of At Thy Word Ministries shared in an interview with Oakland Voices, these "Guns To Gardens" events in Oakland represent a beautiful transformation:
“It’s all about narrative. If people want to see a narrative of violence, hate, of lack of hope then that’s what they begin to believe in. This is also an opportunity to change that narrative, to show that we can do something good, can do something beautiful. There are opportunities, there are people working for peace who care about you. That’s the beauty in Guns to Gardens. Transformation can happen in a person but transformation that can also happen within a community.”
- Minister Payton Skillet of At Thy Word Ministries
Oakland Event Details
Date/Time: November 18, 2023, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1203 Willow Street, Oakland, CA
Rewards for Participation:
- Gift cards valued up to $300, depending on type of gun
- Hand-forged garden tools from previously surrendered guns are given for each gun
- $5 contribution to Zion Food Pantry for each gun turned in
How to Turn in Unwanted Firearms at the Event?
Transport your firearms, unloaded, in the trunk of your car. You can read more here about how to legally transport firearms in California. Upon arrival, leave the firearms in your trunk. From there, a law enforcement official from Oakland Police Department will safely collect the firearms from the trunk of your car.
Is It Anonymous?
The process at the Oakland gun buyback event is completely anonymous. Further, no identification will be required.
What Happens to Collected Firearms?
The Oakland Police Department first secures and logs each collected gun into a database. Afterwards, law enforcement identifies and returns stolen firearms to their rightful owners. For the remaining guns, law enforcement will deconstruct the guns into non-functional parts that are no longer classified as legal firearms. A skilled blacksmith then takes these parts and artfully forges them into beautiful garden tools. These tools, symbolic of turning weapons of destruction into instruments of growth and beauty, are later distributed at future gun buyback events.
Have Questions?
@INSTAGRAM/GUNSTOGARDENSOAK or OAKLAND@BRADYUNITED.ORG
More Ways To Contribute To Guns To Gardens Oakland
Spread the Word: Help spread the word about the gun drop off at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on November 18. You can also encourage donations, volunteers, or share information and articles written about the Guns To Gardens events in Oakland.
Donate to Fund Future Events: You can go even further and donate to fund future Guns To Gardens events in Oakland online at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church website. Make sure to select the option "Give to Guns To Gardens."
Volunteer: Anyone interested in volunteering at the November 18th event or promoting it in your neighbourhood can contact Paula Hawthorn at paula.hawthorn@gmail.com for more information.
Show Support On Instagram: You can support the Oakland Guns To Gardens initiatives by following the official @gunstogardensoak on Instagram. Additionally, you can like and share the event flyer posted to Instagram.
Santa Clara County, CA
San Jose – December 2, 2023
According to a press release from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, a gun buyback event is coming to San Jose on December 2, 2023. This event gives residents of Santa Clara County a chance to relinquish their firearms anonymously, with no questions asked. At this event, individuals can relinquish all types of firearms without fear of legal consequences. This includes illegal guns such as assault weapons and ghost guns. In fact, these firearms are highly incentivized with higher payouts. This is because Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is focused on getting these dangerous weapons out of circulation. With this in mind, it's clear that the aim is to maximize the effectiveness of such events to keep the community safe.
“Reducing the number of unsecured firearms in our community is paramount to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents. The Gun Buy Back program provides a crucial opportunity for individuals to responsibly dispose of unwanted firearms, preventing accidents, gun thefts, and potentially harmful situations. By working together through initiatives like this, we can make a significant impact in creating a safer environment for everyone.”
– Sheriff Robert Jonsen of Santa Clara County
San Jose Event Details
Date/Time: December 2, 2023, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Reid-Hillview Airport, 2500 Cunningham Ave, San Jose, CA
Rewards for Participation:
Participants in the gun buyback event can expect the following financial incentives:
- $100 cash for handguns, rifles, and shotguns
- $200 cash for unregistered "ghost guns" and assault rifles
- Rewards only for functional firearms
Terms & Conditions:
- Functionality Requirement: Only functional firearms qualify for rewards.
- Quantity Limit: You can receive rewards for a maximum of 5 guns.
- Allocation of Rewards: Rewards will be issued on a 'first come, first serve' basis.
How to Turn in Unwanted Firearms at the Event?
Transport your firearms, unloaded, in the trunk of your car. If you are also turning in ammunition for disposal, transport ammunition in a locked container separate from your firearms. Upon arrival, remain in your vehicle and leave the firearms in your trunk. Wait for a law enforcement officer to remove the firearms from your trunk.
Is It Anonymous?
The process will be completely anonymous. You can turn in any firearms, no questions asked. No identification is required.
What Happens to Collected Firearms?
Collected guns will be checked for lost or stolen status. If a gun is found to be stolen, it will be returned to their legal owners. Law enforcement will destroy all other firearms.
Additional Services At San Jose 2023 Buyback
In addition to turning in firearms for incentives, this event also offers several additional services free to the community. These services below are available to all who attend the event, at no cost.
- Gun Disposal: Non-functional firearms and firearms that exceed the 5 limit maximum per person can still be surrendered for safe disposal. However, they will not be eligible for compensation.
- Ammunition Disposal: While ammunition will not fetch a reward, unwanted ammo can be relinquished for disposal.
- Gun Lock Distribution: The Santa Clara County District Attorney's office will provide gun locks at the event, promoting safe firearm storage.
- Educational Resources: Participants will have access to information on gun violence restraining orders, mental health resources, suicide prevention, and gun safety.
San Mateo County, CA
San Mateo County - TBD
The San Mateo County Gun Buy-Back Program, a key initiative in Northern California aimed at reducing firearms, is set to host its next event in South San Mateo County towards the end of 2023. While no date is set, it's likely to be held in December based on the pattern of previous years. This upcoming event is part of an ongoing biannual effort that will continue through 2023. Supported by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, the Sheriff's Office, and Citizens for a San Mateo County Gun Buy Back, the program is a testament to effective community collaboration. Indeed, the program has collected 2,359 firearms. Notably, this includes several assault weapons and ghost guns. This upcoming event aims to continue the program's significant impact.
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Santa Clara County Continuous Gun Buyback
In addition to coordinating the upcoming gun buyback event for those near San Jose, California, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office also launched a continuous gun buyback in August 2023. This innovative year-round Firearms Relinquishment Program incentivizes residents to relinquish their unwanted firearms anonymously, without any questions asked.
Santa Clara's Program Details
Date/Time: Year-round
Locations:
Headquarters
55 West Younger Avenue
San Jose, California 95110-1721
(map, detailed map, map to the Sheriff's office)
Toll Free: (800) 211-2220; Phone: (408) 808-4400
Open 24/7/365
South County Sub-Station
80 W. Highland Avenue Bldg. K
San Martin, CA 95046 (map)
Phone: (408) 686-3650
Available Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
West Valley Division
1601 S. De Anza Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014 (map)
Phone: (408) 868-6600
Available Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Rewards for Participation:
Participants in the gun buyback event can expect the following financial incentives:
- $50 Visa Gift Card for each gun relinquished
Terms & Conditions:
- Quantity Limit: A maximum of (5) gift cards will be issued per person.
- Allocation of Rewards: The gift cards will be issued on a first come first serve basis until the funds are exhausted.
How to Turn in Unwanted Firearms?
Firstly, transport your firearms to one of the Sheriff's stations listed above during their available hours. It's important to realize the laws surrounding firearm transportation in California. In particular, firearms should be unloaded and locked in the trunk of your vehicle. When you arrive, park your vehicle in a Sheriff’s Office visitor space. It must be remembered to NOT bring any firearms inside the Sheriff's Office building. Instead, Leave the firearms locked in your vehicle and walk inside for further instructions. Visit this page to see complete instructions.
Is It Anonymous?
Yes, anyone can relinquish unwanted firearms anonymously, no questions asked. Moreover, no ID will be required during the process.
What Happens to Collected Firearms?
Collected guns will be checked to ensure they have not been reported stolen. If a gun is found to be stolen, it will be returned to their legal owners. Law enforcement will destroy all other firearms.
Upcoming Gun Buyback In Southern California 2023
On the whole, counties in Southern California have seen much fewer gun buyback events than counties in Northern California during 2023. However, SoCal does have a continuous gun buyback event for Orange County residents.
Orange County, California
Orange County's Continuous Gun Buyback 2023
At California Gun Services, we are proud to offer a year-round gun buyback program exclusively for Orange County residents. Unlike typical gun buyback events, our program is unique in that we come to you. A California Gun Services Representative will come to you to remove all guns. This limits breaking transportation laws and potentially unsafe gun handling. Our goal is to help keep our community safe by providing a convenient and legal method for reducing the number of dangerous or unwanted firearms.
Orange County Gun Buyback Program Details
Date/Time: Year-round
Location: On-site, we come to you.
Rewards for Participation:
This gun buyback event has the following rewards:
- $50 Visa Gift Card for each gun
- Guns of any condition (non-working, etc.)
- Any quantity of guns
Terms & Conditions:
- Allocation of Rewards: We pay $50 per gun in the form of a $50 Visa Gift Card no matter what condition or the number of guns you have.
- Ineligible Firearms: Assault rifles, machine guns or any destructive devices are not eligible for rewards.
How to Turn in Unwanted Firearms?
To turn in unwanted firearms, start by scheduling an appointment. To do so, you can call (714) 639-9608 or request an appointment online at https://gunbuybacks.org/. After scheduling an appointment, a certified representative from California Gun Services will visit your home at the appointed time to legally aquire and remove your firearms. We file an acquisition on the spot and give you a legal receipt showing that California Gun Services has legally taken possession. All of our representatives are certified firearms safety instructors and have been approved by the ATF, DOJ, and local Orange County law enforcement. We will need a valid Identification Card and a signature. The whole process takes about 15 minutes.
Is It Anonymous?
No, this gun buyback program is not anonymous. Further, participants will need a valid Identification Card and are required to provide a signature.
What Happens to Collected Firearms?
We inspect all firearms that we acquire. Any gun that is broken, unsafe or illegal will be destroyed or turned it into the appropriate authorities. Firearms that are found to have Historical Value or significant monetary value can be sold on an auction sight and sold to a licensed FFL Dealer outside the state of California. The money collected goes back to fund the Gun Buy-Back Program.
Unable to Attend an Event?
We understand that attending a gun buyback event might not be possible for everyone. But don't worry, you still have year-round options for to get rid of your unwanted guns. You may be able to take them to a local Firing Range or Police Station for disposal, or California Gun Services will come and pick up any amount from your home. With our California gun disposal services, CGS can legally take possession of the unwanted firearm and disassemble, destroy or sell it.
