Media Release - 408 Firearms Collected at San José Gun Buyback on December 2, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2023
Contact: Mark Tiernan
669-309-3219  |  [email protected]

County of Santa Clara and Community Partners Collect 408 Firearms at San José Gun Buyback Event

On December 2, 2023 the County of Santa Clara partnered with the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, City of San José, San José Police Department, County of Santa Clara Public Health Department, and County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services to host a gun buyback event at the Reid-Hillview Airport. The following are the initial results of firearms voluntarily turned in by residents.

✩  408 firearms were collected, along with 70 replica/airsoft/bb style guns

✩  133 handguns and 275 rifles, includingsu 1 uzi, 1 sawed-off shotgun, and 1 rocket-launcher

✩  Additionally, 20 were ghost-guns and more than a dozen were assault-style weapons

✩  $40,050 was distributed in compensation

“Residents of the 408 Area Code stepped up to voluntarily turn in 408 firearms at the San José Gun Buyback at Reid-Hillview Airport on December 2, and that has us feeling extra grateful this holiday season,” proclaimed Supervisor Otto Lee.

Supervisor Lee added, “We’re also very thankful for the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney, City of San José, San José Police Department, the County’s Public Health Department and Behavioral Health Services, and my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors for working together to make this event possible, and safe. In the 408 firearms turned in, there were 20 ghost-guns, a dozen assault-style weapons including an uzi, a sawed-off shotgun, and even a rocket launcher!”

“Since last May, we have collected more than 1100 guns at three buybacks in Milpitas, South County, and San José - that’s more than one thousand chances to save a life. The County of Santa Clara is committed to preventing gun violence and these buybacks are a key part of that. We’re already organizing our next buybacks events in 2024,” Supervisor Lee concluded.   

The weapons are in safe storage with the Sheriff’s Office until they are sent out for destruction. Residents may turn in unwanted firearms through the Sheriff’s Office’s Gun Relinquishment Program [LINK] or call 408-299-2311 for more information.

Resources:
⇒  In crisis or need mental health support? Dial 9-8-8 for our crisis prevention hotline - or - Click HERE to Get Help with the County's Behavioral Health Services Department [LINK] 

⇒  Click HERE for information about promoting gun violence prevention along with safe and responsible gun ownership - including data about Santa Clara County [LINK]

Gun Buybacks Events since 2022:
✩  Milpitas, May 2022 - 415 firearms collected  [LINK]
✩  South County (Morgan Hill), December 2022 - 289 firearms collected  [LINK]
✩  San José, December 2023 - 408 firearms collected  [LINK]

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Supervisor Otto Lee serves District 3 on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors which represents Sunnyvale, Milpitas, and the northern neighborhoods of San José including Alviso and Berryessa. Supervisor Lee also serves as the Vice President of the Board of Supervisors. He is an intellectual property attorney, Retired U.S. Navy Commander, former Sunnyvale Mayor & Councilmember, and father. Supervisor Lee lives in Sunnyvale with his wife, three daughters, and their family rabbit. He was elected to represent District 3 in November 2020. More information about him and the District 3 Office is available online at SupervisorLee.org or contact us anytime at [email protected].