During its meeting on November 16, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appropriate $10,000 from its Safer Communities Fund to support a countywide gun buyback event on Saturday, December 9, at St. David’s Episcopal Church located at 16200 W. 12 Mile Road, Southfield.
“We will continue to support local police departments and listen to our community gun safety leaders as they inspire efforts to reduce violence in our communities,” said Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Township), who helped lead the Board of Commissioners 2022 Anti-Violence Initiative. “We’re happy that they are providing this space for residents to voluntarily turn in their unwanted guns.”
The Southfield Police Department, in partnership with St. David’s Episcopal Church, will be hosting the voluntary program, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until supplies are exhausted. Attendees will receive Meijer or Target gift cards in exchange for functioning weapons. They will receive $50 in exchange for long guns, $100 in exchange for handguns and $200 in exchange for assault rifles, up to $300 total per participating vehicle. There will be no limit on the number of weapons a participant may turn in. All weapons must be unloaded and secured in the trunk of each vehicle. Ammunition will also be accepted.
“Most accidental shooting incidents among children involve firearms left loaded and unsecured,” Southfield Police Chief Elvin V. Barren said. “According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens. Gun buyback programs provide an incentive to remove unwanted firearms from homes, thereby reducing the probability for these weapons to harm our communities.”
Participants will be asked to provide identifying information when turning in firearms. Attendees must remain in their vehicles, as law enforcement officers will remove the unloaded guns.
“We are glad to serve our community by purchasing firearms from a willing public," Father Chris Yaw, rector at St. David's Episcopal Church, said. "We mourn the deaths of children and those who take their lives with guns, which make up the vast majority of firearm deaths in our county. Additionally, the majority of gun crimes are committed with stolen weapons, so we are thankful to anyone who has a firearm and no longer wants it, to turn it in and to receive a gift card."
St. David’s Episcopal Church is taking additional monetary donations to support the event. For information about sponsorships or how to donate, visit https://bit.ly/StDavidsGB23.
This event follows the Board of Commissioners Oakland County Gun Buyback Pilot Program, which included four events in late 2022 and collected more than 350 total weapons. The program was a part of the Board’s commitment to reducing violence in the community, as voluntary gun buyback programs provide a safe, legal way for residents to dispose of unwanted firearms and can help reduce the number of weapons potentially accessible to children, youth and vulnerable individuals.
Additionally, the Board also affirmed a continued commitment to community safety with the adoption of the 2024 budget, which included a $25,000 appropriation for the Safer Communities Fund. The fund will be used to support projects that improve the safety of students, residents and visitors in Oakland County.
For more information about the Board of Commissioners, visit www.oakgov.com/boc.
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