County gun buyback: Turn in a gun. Get cash. No questions.

Published on November 28, 2022

The County of San Mateo and its partners are holding a gun buyback on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. The event will be held at 1000 Skyway Road in San Carlos from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants must transport firearms unloaded in a vehicle trunk or, for trucks and vans, in a locked container.

Anyone who turns in a firearm can receive cash: $50 for non-functioning firearms, $100 for handguns, shotguns and rifles and $200 for assault weapons and “ghost guns” as classified by the State of California.

“Fewer guns means fewer chances for guns falling into the wrong hands,” said Don Horsley, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and the County’s former Sheriff. “You can keep your family safer if you get rid of unwanted firearms. It’s tragic but over half of all suicides occur with the use of a firearm.”

Reducing gun violence is a top goal for the County and local law enforcement. In 2021, the Board of Supervisors pledged to hold gun buybacks through 2023 with funds from the voter-approved Measure K sales tax that provides local funds for local needs.

The County has collected a total of 2,071 firearms over five gun buyback events held since May 2018, with the total payout of $206,500.

For questions about the event, please call 650-363-4800.