SDPD Collects Dozens of Guns in Exchange

The exchange was in conjunction with Casa Familiar and Ocean View Church

"We’ve had several incidents here in San Diego where children have found guns that have been left in the garage or unattended and have injured themselves or others,” Lt. Ernesto Servin of the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said at the department’s second annual gun exchange in Palm City Saturday.

At the exchange, SDPD received a sawed off shotgun typical of those used in drive-by shootings.

“It’s completely illegal; this is something that could be easily concealed in a coat or a jacket," Lt. Servin said.

Police say many of the shootings they investigate involve stolen guns - so every unwanted weapon off the street is a good thing.

To get as many people to participate as possible, police say it's a no questions asked transaction.

James Thibodaux dropped off a .22 caliber rifle.

“My father-in-law passed a while back and left us with his guns and other things so it's just been sitting around,” Thibodaux said.

Last year the program took in more than 50 guns - many of them illegal.

Gun owners receive $50 to $100 gift cards in exchange for the weapons don’t have to deal with the lengthy process of legally selling them.

In total, SDPD collected 4 dozen firearms, 22 handguns, 16 rifles and 10 shotguns.

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