By Gina Yarbrough
La Mesa, CA–Law enforcement agencies collected a total of 160 unwanted weapons from the public Saturday morning through a Guns for Gift Cards event in East County.
The Sheriff’s Department and Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station teamed with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, La Mesa Police Department, and El Cajon Police Department for the event that was held at the La Mesa Civic Center in the 4800 block of Date Street in La Mesa.
Individuals who turned in weapons received a $100 gift card for handguns, rifles, and shotguns or a $200 gift card for assault weapons and ghost guns.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, all weapons collected will be processed. Any firearms coming back as being involved in a crime will be followed up on with the appropriate law enforcement agency. If any guns are found to be stolen, the original owners will be contacted. All remaining weapons will be destroyed in accordance with the law.
Residents that missed out on the event can still turn in their unwanted weapons at any Sheriff’s station or substation. They can call the Sheriff’s non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200 for more information.
