The D. C. Area Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Network, together with the Montgomery County Sheriff and Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s offices, are holding a gun buyback day on April 20.
No questions will be asked of the gun owners who hand in their weapons between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley, 13421 Clopper Road in Germantown.
This marks the first faith-based gun buyback event in up-county, which is experiencing an increase in gun violence.
Community members who voluntarily and anonymously turn in their firearms will receive a $100 food store gift card for functioning handguns, rifles and shotguns, and a $200 food store gift card for functioning military assault-style weapons and privately manufactured firearms (“ghost guns”).
The Sheriff’s Office will inspect all firearms prior to the Interfaith GVP Network and decide eligibility for gift cards. It also will provide gun safety information.
All guns collected that day will be destroyed and no components will be re-repurposed, according to Sheriff Maxwell Uy.
Participants must remain in their vehicles at all times. Firearms must be unloaded and transported in the trunk. No ammunition in guns is allowed. No walk-ups will be allowed.
The sponsors reserve the right to limit the number of gift cards given to an individual, regardless of the number of weapons surrendered. Non-functioning firearms and ammunition will be accepted but with no exchange of compensation.
The Interfaith GVP Network was founded in 2017 and consists of a coalition of volunteers from more than 40 churches, synagogues, mosques and temples in the greater D.C., Baltimore area.
The Interfaith GVP Network is seeking donations, noting that raising at least $30,000 will remove 300 guns from the streets. To donate, go to https://bit.ly/gunbb.
