HOUSTON — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will be hosting a gun buyback program in an effort to reduce the number of guns in the community.
The event will be held on Saturday, July 30 from 8 a.m. to noon at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, located at 3826 Wheeler Avenue.
How it works
- Members of the Houston Police Department will be stationed at the collection site above, prepared to collect guns with no-questions-asked.
- Those interested in getting rid of their guns should unload their firearm before arriving at the collection site and place the gun in the trunk or rear of their vehicle.
- An HPD personnel will remove the gun from the vehicle. They will check to see if the firearm is unloaded and render it safe.
- Once the weapon is collected, the person donating will receive a receipt to exchange for a gift card.
Gift card rewards
- $50 for non-functioning firearms
- $100 for rifles or shotguns
- $150 for handguns
- $200 for automatic rifles
The Gun Buyback program is in partnership with Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, the Houston Police Department, and Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.
“We can take action by removing guns… It has become a public health crisis," says Ellis.
“If we can get one gun off the street that that prevents a murder or aggravated assault, I’m all for it as Chief," says Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner.
According to the commissioner, as of May, 19 young people had died of gun violence this year alone in Harris County.
He says it was important to make this event happen before school started again, especially in the wake of the Uvalde tragedy.
“We want to send a signal, and it’s a way the community can participate," Ellis said.
This event is part of the One Safe Houston initiative, which is a $53 million investment aimed at crime reduction.
The initiative focuses on four key areas which include:
- Violence Reduction and Crime Prevention
- Crisis Intervention, Response and Recovery
- Youth Outreach Opportunities
- Key Community Partnerships
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is also supporting this program. A member of her staff says she's planning on sponsoring gun buybacks in the coming months funded with federal money.