King County offers up to $300 per gun at buy-back event Saturday

The King County Sheriff’s Office is offering up to £300 in gift cards for each gun exchanged at an event in Burien Saturday, the first of two county buy-back events planned for this year. The gun exchange runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the southwest precinct of the King County Sheriff’s Office in Burien. The department will exchange guns for VISA/Mastercard gift cards.

Payments range from £25 for antique and inoperable guns to £100 for shotguns and rifles and £300 for AK-47s and AR-15s. Gun buy-back events have become common across the country and in the Seattle area. At a similar event in Everett in December, where gun owners waited in a line stretching down the street, police collected 241 guns and ran through £25,000 worth of gift cards in about two hours.

Kirkland held three gun exchanges last year. Seattle has held occasional buy-back events since the 1990s. The latest event stems from £100,000 in funding approved by the King County Council last year, said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt.

Corbett Ford. The Sheriff’s Office is prepared to pay up to £40,000 in gift cards Saturday, Ford said. “We are more and more concerned about gun violence and getting guns off the streets that shouldn’t be out there,” Ford said.

People who inherit guns from a relative often look for ways to safely dispose of them, he said. Other people “had a need before and no longer feel like they have a need, or don’t want the liability or responsibility of having that gun in their home.” 

Advertising

“If we can help prevent someone from becoming a victim of a firearm, I think it’s worth it,” Ford said. While the events are popular, some researchers and gun safety advocates argue they are not effective at reducing gun violence because police departments typically collect guns unlikely to be used in crimes.

When Seattle and King County held a buy-back in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2013, Ralph Fascitelli, then board president of Washington CeaseFire, called it “a feel-good measure that does little to end gun violence.” More than half of gun-related deaths in the U.S. were suicides in 2020, according to the most recent data available from the CDC. Gun owners looking to trade in firearms at Saturday’s drive-through event can do so anonymously.

The Sheriff’s Office requires guns to be unloaded with the safety on and stored in the trunk or back area of a vehicle, preferably in a gun case or box.  After Saturday’s event, the Sheriff’s Office will check any exchanged guns to see whether they were stolen or used in any crimes, Ford said. The guns will then be destroyed.

The Sheriff’s Office plans a second exchange event in 2023, likely in the northern part of the county.

Tags:

country-attire listed on couponmatrix.ukeasylife-group listed on couponmatrix.ukhealthspan listed on couponmatrix.ukjules-b listed on couponmatrix.uksun-transfers listed on couponmatrix.ukunineed listed on couponmatrix.uk
country-attire listed on couponmatrix.ukGreat Britain has a long tradition of country living and with it comes a culture and style that is the envy of the world. Take home the essence of this style with Country Attire, who offer the best of British – both contemporary and traditional. Choose from handcrafted heritage pieces and modern designs from top British brands including Barbour, Hunter, Vivienne Westwood and Trickers. It’s not just British brands they stock, you’ll find continental and global brands here too like Ugg, Ray-Ban and Hugo Boss. Shop using a Country Attire discount code and enjoy savings across their store on all of the best of British (and elsewhere).
easylife-group listed on couponmatrix.ukWith nearly 30 years of providing customers with high quality problem-solving products, Easylife does exactly what it says on the tin - it makes life easier. From clocks to socks, you’ll find everything you need to make your life a breeze, so grab an Easylife promo code and start shopping today. There’s a wide range of top quality products on offer, all at prices you’re sure to love, so check it out today.
healthspan listed on couponmatrix.ukAs the UK's largest supplier of nutrition, vitamins and supplements, Healthspan have already established a reputation for quality healthcare, pet health goods and skincare. With the a Healthspan voucher code you can save on supplements, performance-enhancing proteins and plenty more to ensure you're at your best physical condition for the smallest possible price. Whether you're looking to relieve symptoms of a medical condition, improve the condition of your skin or hair, or looking to bolster a healthy diet with essential vitamins, Healthspan has what you need.
jules-b listed on couponmatrix.ukAdorning men and women in designer clothing, accessories and shoes for decades, Jules B stocks a huge range of designers online and in-store so savvy sartorialists everywhere can get their fashion fix with ease. Grab your Jules B discount code and browse their range of shoes, handbags, jewellery, sunglasses, luggage, homeware and more to get your fashion fix or treat a loved one without breaking the bank. You deserve it.
sun-transfers listed on couponmatrix.ukSuntransfers is an airport transfers site that helps you save money on your traveland holidays. Suntransfers provide low-cost transfers around the world, and we've got a Suntransfers discount code for all the major airlines and travel companies, so you can be sure to get the best deal possible. Whether you opt to fly to Europe or Asoa, trust Suntransfers to secure savings on your trip. At Groupon, we work hard to find the best deals and discounts for our customers. That's why we've put together a page of Suntransfers discount codes. We know that planning a holiday can be expensive, so we want to help you save as much money wherever possible. With our phenomenal offers, you can get a great price on Suntransfers transfers and make your dream holiday more affordable. So whether you're looking for a discount code for your next booking or just want to browse our selection vouchers, we've got you covered. We've got a selection of Suntransfers voucher codes for you to choose from, so you can get the best price on your next booking - be it in Malaga or the Maldives. Start wherever your dream destination may lie, get the best budget transfer from airport to hotel with Suntransfers.
unineed listed on couponmatrix.ukEstablished in 201, Unineed is a premium beauty and fashion retailer with a passion for internationally renowned brands. Whether you're a professional make-up artist or an avid amateur, everyone will find something new at Unineed. Unleashed your creativity for for less with a Unineed discount code and snap up bestseller skincare, make-up, fragrance and more. Unineed is not just for women either - men can also feel and look great with Unineed's collection of haircare, skincare and electricals too.