Gainesville authorities want to make sure schools are safe and gun-free this year by having a gun buyback event with no questions asked.
The gun buyback will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind Gainesville Fire Rescue Station 3, located at 900 NE Waldo Road. During the event, anyone who is in possession of a gun illegally can turn in their weapon with immunity.
The event is hosted by People Against Violence Enterprises, Inc. (P.A.V.E.) partnered with Gainesville Police, the State Attorney’s Office and the Alachua County Christian Pastors Association, Inc. (ACCPA).
“The purpose of the event is to clean the streets of stolen guns, particularly by minors,” said the Rev. Karl Anderson, president of P.A.V.E. and ACCPA.
Anderson said in addition to cash, Xboxes are offered in exchange for guns turned in during the event, in order to appeal to a younger demographic.
Darry Lloyd, spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office, said funds from the cost of previous prosecutions paid by defendants are used for prevention activities like the buyback.
Depending on the condition and type, a person who turns in a gun will receive between $50 to $300 or, if they choose, an Xbox, Lloyd said. Gun locks will be available for gun owners.
“We're all coming together to work on a problem, this is a piece of it," Lloyd said. "Some folks say, 'This doesn't work.' Well, doing nothing doesn't work."
