City to host gun buyback in December

GILROY >> Roughly half a year after separate mass shootings in Morgan Hill and Gilroy claimed five lives, authorities in December plan to host a gun buyback aimed at keeping unwanted firearms out of the hands of criminals, mentally unstable people and children.

“Our communities are still grieving, but we are not standing still,” said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen in a news release. “We’re hoping we can turn a lot of dangerous and unwanted weapons gathering dust in safes, closets and garages into a happier, safer holiday season in Santa Clara County.”

The $50,000 buyback is South County’s first in 25 years. It is scheduled to take place Dec. 14 at the Gilroy Corporation Yard, 613 Old Gilroy St., in Gilroy. Authorities plan to offer $100 for handguns, rifles and shotguns and $200 for assault weapons.

The firearms must be functional and transported unloaded in the trunk of a vehicle. There is a limit of five weapons per person. No walkups or ammunition will be accepted.

No questions will be asked, but authorities will check the firearms and return any that have been reported as lost or stolen to their legal owners. All others will be destroyed.

On June 25, 60-yearold Steven Leet shot and killed two co-workers, 59-year-old Brian Light and 38-year-old Xavier Souto, at the Ford Store in Morgan Hill. Roughly four weeks later, 19-yearold Santino Legan gunned down 6-year-old Stephen Romero, 13-year-old Keyla Salazar and 25-year-old Trevor Irby at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Legan also injured 17 others. Both shooters died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.