
Columbus Sets Second Gun Buyback for September 14
Sep 14, 2024 Sat
•
10 AM to 2 PM
The Columbus Division of Police has arranged its second annual gun buyback event to take place on September 14, 2024. This continues the city's efforts to reduce potential firearm hazards in the community, especially from unwanted and unsecured weapons.Event DetailsDate: Saturday, September 14, 2024Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PMLocation: Franklin University, Phillips Hall Parking Lot D, 303 S. Grant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215Terms of Exchange: Gift cards valued up to $750 based on the type and condition of firearms surrenderedEligibility: Open to all residents, no identification required, complete anonymity guaranteedRequirements: Firearms must be unloaded and transported in the trunk of a vehicle in a plastic bag, paper bag, or boxContext and ImpactThe buyback was organized by the Columbus Office of Violence Prevention in partnership with the Columbus Division of Police.Last year's inaugural event collected 344 firearms with the city distributing $136,600 in gift cards. It also ended with $106,225 remaining due to time constraints in processing all participants."We know that a large majority of guns that end up in crime are stolen from either a car or a house," said Rena Shak, executive director of the Office of Violence Prevention. This informed the city's decision to offer above-market value compensation as added incentive for participation."We're just grateful that people continue to step up and want to get rid of guns they don't need, so we can keep them out of the hands of kids and folks that shouldn't have access to them," said Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther.In addition to collecting weapons, police officers distributed gun locks and safes to promote responsible firearm storage for those who retain their weapons.All collected firearms undergo a thorough investigation process to check serial numbers and ensure they aren't connected to criminal activities before being destroyed.Based on lessons learned from the previous year, organizers made logistical improvements to the 2024 event. "This year we're looking at location. We want to make sure it's somewhere central so everybody around the city has easy access to the location," explained Shak prior to the event.Additional InformationFor more information about future gun buyback events and other violence prevention initiatives, residents can contact the Columbus Office of Violence Prevention at 614-645-9583 or email OVP@columbus.gov. Information is also available through their social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook.