On Saturday, community members brought their unwanted guns to a drive-thru buyback event, where they received gift cards — anonymously and with no questions asked.
County Sheriff Max Uy said a couple of residents arrived as early as 6:30 a.m. for the buyback, which was 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley on Clopper Road in Germantown.
In addition to getting gift cards to Giant grocery store, Uy said participants were provided with safety information as well — “on safe storage, responsible gun ownership.”
County State’s Attorney John McCarthy estimated about 50 guns were collected within the first hour of the event.
“We have gotten machine guns, we’ve gotten automatic weapons, we have ghost guns, we have 3D printer guns that we’ve gotten off the street,” McCarthy said. All guns collected will be destroyed and will not be repurposed.
People brought unloaded, functioning guns in their cars. For working handguns, rifles, and shotguns, participants got a $100 gift card to Giant. Participants received a $200 gift card to Giant for functioning military assault-style guns and ghost guns.
“If this helps a family feel safer because they don’t have a gun in their home, great. If it saves a life or stops an injury at some point, that is all worth it to me,” said Rev. Holly Jackson, Pastor at the United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley, where the event was held in the parking lot.
The D.C. Area Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Network helped raise more than $27,000 to buy-back the guns. It was the first faith-based, upcounty gun buyback, hosted by the Interfaith GVP Network in partnership with the county Sheriff and county State’s Attorney.
“I think the community is responding,” said District 2 County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, noting a steady flow of participants. Not only is it about crime and gun violence, but also suicide — “That sometimes gets lost in the story, and people don’t want guns in their homes. And this is a way to get them off the street and out of peoples’ homes,” Balcombe said.
