COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police collected more than 200 guns during its second annual gun buyback event on Saturday.
The department said 234 firearms were collected in total:
- 96 assault rifles
- 44 pistols
- 38 rifles
- 33 shotguns
- 28 revolvers
Gift cards of up to $750 were given in exchange for handguns, assault rifles, non-assault rifles and shotguns based on the type and condition of the firearm.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther called the event an overall safety strategy.
"We're just grateful that people take their step up in this community and get rid of guns that they don't need so we keep them out of the hands of kids and folks that shouldn't have access to them," Ginther said.
Gift cards of up to $750 were given in exchange for handguns, assault rifles, non-assault rifles and shotguns based on the type and condition of the firearm.
All submissions remained completely anonymous and no IDs were required to turn a firearm in.
Ginther said police also gave out gun locks and safes.
After collecting the guns, police said they go through a process to make sure the donated weapons don't have a criminal history.
"We check their serial numbers, we check the weapons to make sure they are not connected with crimes. The important thing is we're keeping them off the street," said Deputy Chief Elrico Alli.
Last year's buyback event took a total of 344 firearms off the street.
Columbus police say the goal of the buyback is to keep guns out of the hands of kids, criminals and irresponsible adults.
"We work tirelessly to make sure that the city stays safe and we come up with new programs, new ways to keep people safe and keep people coming to work, live and play in our great city of Columbus," said Alli.