BernCo Announces Gun Buy-Back

Bernalillo County and Crime Stoppers announced this morning that they will offer an anonymous gun buy-back program this month to get unwanted weapons out of people’s homes.

The first event is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the North Valley Command Center, 6900 Fourth NW.  The other is Feb. 23 in the South Area Command Center, 2039 Isleta SW.

The county will offer pre-paid Visa cards of $100 for rifles or shotguns, $150 for handguns and $200 for high-capacity or assault weapons (semi-automatic, magazine-fed, military-style rifle or carbine).

The full announcement is below:

Commissioner O’Malley Unveils Bernalillo County’s First-of-its-Kind Safe Surrender and Gun Buy-Back Program

Bernalillo County – District One County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley, joined by Commission Chair Maggie Hart Stebbins, Commissioner Art De La Cruz, Sheriff Dan Houston, Pat Davis from Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers and Tijeras Mayor Gloria Chavez, introduced the county’s Safe Surrender and Gun Buy-Back program, which will allow for people to turn in firearms to authorities, no questions asked and receive compensation in return.

“In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, and more recently and closer to home, the tragic killing of an Albuquerque family just weeks ago, we must continue the conversations about what we can do to reduce gun violence in our community,” says Commissioner Debbie O’Malley. “My hope is that through our Safe Surrender program families consider the risks guns in home may pose—especially if they are unsafely stored and accessible to children. Our program is an opportunity for individuals to receive compensation while getting rid of unwanted or unneeded guns or assault rifles.”

Individuals may bring any unloaded and operational firearms to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department North Area Command Center, 6900 4th Street NW, on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the South Area Command Center, 2039 Isleta Blvd. SW, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Given the unspeakable pain caused by accidental shootings and senseless gun violence, we must do everything possible to raise awareness about the threat of unsecured or unneeded weapons. In combination with firearm safety education, this buyback program gives people a reason to think about the guns they have in their homes and decide whether they present a risk to their families or the public,” says Commission Chair Maggie Hart Stebbins.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department will be on-hand to make sure the guns are in working condition and are not loaded before being surrendered. All weapons will be checked for lost or stolen status, and if applicable will be returned to their rightful owners. All other firearms will be prepared for destruction by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department. Crime Stoppers will be on hand to ensure complete anonymity.

The following requirements will apply for acceptance to the firearms buy-back plan:
Working firearms that are no longer wanted by the owner
Working firearms that have been inherited from a family member which are no longer wanted
Working firearms that have been altered or modified

Participants will be paid with VISA gift cards if the firearm meets those requirements.

The payment for each type of weapons will be:
$150 for any working handgun
$100 for any working long gun (rifle or shotgun)
$200 for any working high capacity or assault weapon system. An “assault weapon” shall be any
semi-automatic, magazine fed, military style rifle or carbine

Any non-working weapons, ammunition, or any imitation and/or low-powered air weapons, which are difficult to distinguish from real weapons and therefore pose a danger, may be surrendered for destruction however, no payment will be made.

Further information including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Bernalillo County Safe Surrender and Buy Back Program can be found at www.bernco.gov.