Looking to unload some firearms? Grand Rapids Police and the Safe Alliances for Everyone (SAFE) Task Force is hosting a gun buyback program in a few weeks.

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SAFE Task Force and GRPD Hosts Gun Buyback September 17

The gun buyback is at the Burton Heights Lot at 30 Burton St, SW, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 1p.m. to 3p.m.

You don't need an appointment, you can just show up.

How Does Grand Rapids' Gun Buyback Program Work?

Anyone who wants to dispose of their firearms is asked to transport the unloaded weapons in the trunk of a vehicle.

Those exchanging guns for gift cards can remain anonymous. According to the  City of Grand Rapids, personnel working at the event will not ask questions or collect any personal information.

In exchange for each firearm turned in, residents will get a gift card ranging from $100 for revolvers, shotguns and rifles, to $200 for assault-type rifles and semi-automatic handguns.

Black powder firearms will be accepted, but they're not giving out gift cards for them.

Keep in mind, quantities of gift cards are limited and subject to availability - so you might want to get there early!

City of Grand Rapids
City of Grand Rapids
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The City of Grand Rapids says the gun buyback program is part of ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime in the city.

Police Chief Eric Winstrom said in a release,

This program will help us continue to get guns off the street and provide community members who no longer want to have firearms in their home a place to safely dispose of them. Removing these weapons will make the community safer by limiting access to firearms by those emboldened to use them in criminal acts.

At the first two gun buyback events, which began in 2020, SAFE and the GRPD collected a total of 267 firearms. In 2022, through its enforcement efforts, GRPD has taken more than 360 illegal guns off the street.

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