
Charlottesville Hosts Inaugural Gun Buyback Program
Jun 18, 2025 Wed
•
10 AM to 2 PM
The City of Charlottesville will have its first gun buyback program on Friday, June 20, under the leadership of Police Chief Michael Kochis. The initiative represents a new approach to community safety efforts in the area after years of planning and discussion.Event DetailsDate: Friday, June 20, 2025Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Location: Mount Zion First African Baptist ChurchTerms of Exchange: Gift cards provided in exchange for firearmsEligibility: Open to all community membersContext and ImpactThe anonymous surrender process allows participants to turn in unloaded firearms without questions asked. Pastor Alvin Edwards of Mount Zion First African Baptist Church emphasizes the community healing aspect of the program, stating that the church serves as a place for reconciliation and positive life changes.The event also offers gun safety education through Be Smart for Kids volunteers, who will demonstrate proper storage techniques including fingerprint-secured safes.The Charlottesville Police Department has not committed to repeating the program annually but remains open to future events based on community response and effectiveness evaluation.