Ad
Albuquerque among four NM cities to host gun buyback event
New Mexico State Police Officer Carlos Vigil inspects a firearm during a gun buyback event in Albuquerque in this November 2023 file photo. A state red flag gun law has been used with increasing frequency by law enforcement officers over the last two years, with more than 50 temporary firearm seizure petitions having been filed so far this year.
Published
Modified
New Mexico State Police is coordinating gun buyback events in Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces and Española on Saturday, Jan. 6.
“We are providing people a resource to turn in unwanted guns; helping law enforcement combat violent crimes where guns are used and aiding in the reduction of accidental deaths and suicides,” State Police Chief Troy Weisler said in a statement. “By holding responsible voluntary gun disposal events like this, we can all help make New Mexico safer.”
In November, Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Española hosted buyback events. State Police said 439 guns, including 179 handguns and 260 rifles, were collected between the three events, and 160 of those guns were turned in after police ran out of gift cards.
The Jan. 6 events will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:
ALBUQUERQUE: Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro, Gate 8 off Louisiana NE.
FARMINGTON: Harriet B Simmons Office, 101 W Animas St.
LAS CRUCES: First Baptist Church, 4201 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
ESPAÑOLA: Española Annex Building, 1101 Industrial Park Rd.
State Police spokesman Philip Vargas said people can anonymously hand in unwanted guns and receive $100 Visa gift cards for handguns and $200 gift cards for rifles and shotguns. Guns may be functional or not.
Vargas said no questions will be asked about gun ownership history. Buybacks are intended to prevent unwanted or unneeded guns from causing harm or being used to commit acts of violence, he said.
Ad
The buybacks are part of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s public health order targeting gun violence, enacted after repeated high-profile shooting deaths of children in Bernalillo County.
