Sacramento police want your guns in exchange for gas money. Here’s how buyback works

The Sacramento Police Department will be giving $50 gas gift cards in exchange for unwanted guns at an upcoming buyback event.

On May 21, Sacramento police will be collecting firearms from gun owners at the police station on 5770 Freeport Blvd. from noon to 5 p.m. A gift card of $50 will be given per firearm.

“We reserve the right to limit the number of gift cards an individual may receive regardless of the number of firearms surrendered,” according to the event flyer.

Police also said they will not be asking gun owners any questions or requiring identification. In addition, police ask owners to stay in their cars, leave all ammunition at home and request that firearms be unloaded and locked in the trunk of their vehicles.

In California, about every 1 in 4 adults live in a gun-owning home, according to research from UC Davis.

Research has shown that past gun exchanges have helped reduce the risk of gun violence among some, but the overall community benefits lacked, according to a 1993 study done in Sacramento — the same year the police offered Kings basketball tickets in exchange for firearms.

However, more recent research, according The Journalist’s Resource, says buybacks have benefits when

“part of a broader effort to reduce gun violence.”

The article says buybacks can “influence public perception of how authorities are dealing with gun violence and serve as opportunities to educate communities about gun violence reduction strategies.”