Gun owners received up to $100 cash for a handgun, shotgun or rifle, and up to $200 for an assault rifle at a gun buyback event in San Mateo Saturday.
The event, sponsored by San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks, Supervisor Adrienne Tissier and Congresswoman Jackie Speier, took place at the San Mateo Event Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Organizers said in the first hour they received 200 guns. At the end of the day the buyback netted 680 guns including 24 assault weapons.
The cash on hand at the beginning of the day was $58,000. Somehow officials found more money during the day, because in the end they gave out $63,500 Saturday.
The anonymous buyback was open to any individual who wishes to surrender their weapons, no questions asked, Speier said.
"There is no reason we need 90 weapons per 100 Americans, making the U.S. the most heavily armed society in the world," Speier said, noting that the buyback provided a convenient opportunity for gun owners to get rid of weapons they no longer want.
"Fewer guns also mean fewer accidents and fewer chances for guns to fall into the wrong hands," Speier added.
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Munks said there were many unwanted and unsecured guns in the county. "We are providing a place for people to come and dispose for them and get some money in return," Munks said. "We feel this will improve public safety in our county."
"One gun incident is too many," Tissier said.
