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LAS CRUCES POLICE DEPARTMENT

Police Department gun buy-back event is Sept. 17

Posted

The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) is partnering with New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence (NMPGV) and Viva Toyota for a Guns To Gardens buyback event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the East Mesa Public Safety Complex, 550 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd., NMPGV said in a news release.

This is a drive thru event only and participants must remain in their vehicles. All weapons must be placed in the trunk or rear section of the vehicle.

NMPGV is a nonprofit whose mission is “to reduce firearm injury and death through education, public health, advocacy and public awareness to protect the safety of our families and communities,” the news release said.

“This is the third gun buyback event LCPD and NMPGV have held to support responsible gun ownership and keep unwanted firearms out of unsafe hands. It is the 16th gun buyback NMPGV has sponsored in New Mexico. 

This is a safe surrender event facilitated by NMPGV and no information is retained on the participant turning in the firearms, NMPGV said.  Participants can turn in as many firearms as they like, but they must be in working condition and unloaded. NMPGV will provide participants with gift cards from Albertsons, Amazon, Chevron, Target and Walmart in exchange for each firearm turned in.  The gift cards are purchased by NMPGV and Viva Toyota and not purchased at the expense of the City of Las Cruces, the news release said.

The value of the gift card is dependent on the firearm turned in, NMPGV said, and follows this list: $250 for assault style weapons, $200 for semi-automatic handguns and semi-automatic rifles and $100 for long guns and pistols.  

NMPGV will provide gunlocks to gun owners free of charge at the event.

 Once the surrender is completed and gift cards are issued, LCPD personnel will assist with conducting a National Crime Information Center inquiry on the surrendered firearms to ensure they are not stolen, the news release said. If a firearm is determined to be stolen, the firearm will be entered into evidence and the rightful owner contacted to retrieve their property.

NMPGV will dismantle the firearms onsite and will later forge the scraps into gardening tools.

For more information, contact NMPGV Co-President Miranda Viscoli at 323-394-1131.

Las Cruces Police Department, gun buy-back

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