Guns to Gardens Gun Buyback Event in Santa Fe
The City of Santa Fe, The First Judicial District of Attorney’s Office, and the Santa Fe Police Department are partnering with New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence for a 2024 Gun Buyback Event.
The buyback event will be on Saturday May 11, 2024, from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm at the Santa Fe Municipal Courthouse parking lot at 2511 Camino Entrada.
This will be the sixth buyback event NMPGV has done with the SFPD and the 19th gun buyback they have facilitated and funded in New Mexico since 2016. NMPGV is a 501(c)3 whose mission is to reduce firearm injury, death through education, public health, advocacy, and public awareness in order to protect the safety of our families and communities. This is the sixth gun buyback event SFPD and NMPGV has held to support responsible gun ownership and keep unwanted firearms out the wrong hands. It is the 15th Guns to Gardens buyback NMPGV has done in New Mexico.
“I’m deeply grateful to New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, the DA’s office, and the Santa Fe Police for cooperating in another gun buyback program. We know from past experience that buyback programs are one effective way to get guns off our streets. They literally turn weapons into garden tools. Thanks to all involved for making Santa Fe a safer city, ” said Mayor Alan Webber.
"As district attorney, I am proud to work in collaboration with New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence and the Santa Fe Police Department to take proactive steps in bettering our community. This collaborative effort will hopefully help to reduce gun violence in the First Judicial District, and I applaud those who are willing to participate in this latest gun buyback event," said District Attorney Mary Carmack Altwies.
“Gun buybacks are an effective way to get unwanted guns out of homes. Guns are dismantled onsite and the scrap metal is forged into gardening tools and musical instruments by RFK Charter High School students,” added Miranda Viscoli, co-president of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence.
The event is a safe surrender event facilitated by NMPGV and no information is retained on the participant turning in the firearms. Participants can turn in as many firearms as they like, but they must be in working condition and unloaded. No gift cards exchanged for 3 D printed guns or ghost guns but we will dismantle them. Guns should be kept in the trunks of all vehicles. NMPGV will provide participants a gift card/s in exchange for each firearm turned in. Ghost guns will be accepted but no gift card given. The gift cards are purchased by NMPGV and not at the expense of the District Attorney’s Office nor the SFPD.
The value of the gift card is dependent on the firearm turned in:
· $250.00 for an assault style weapon
· $200.00 for a semi-automatic firearms
· $100.00 for a long guns, revolvers and pistols
Gift cards will be for Brewers Gas, Target, Walmart, Amazon and Smiths. NMPGV will also be providing gunlocks to gun owners free of charge.
Once the surrender is completed and gift card issued, SFPD personnel will assist with conducting a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) inquiry on the surrendered firearms to ensure they are not stolen. If a firearm is determined to be stolen, the firearm will be entered into evidence and the rightful owner contacted to retrieve their property.
Participants will be required to stay in their car and if possible, store firearm/s in the trunk of the vehicle.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Nathan Lederman 505-231-6230 NLederman@da.state.nm.us
Ben Valdez, Deputy Chief of Police, bpvaldez@santafenm.gov or at 505-955-5040.
Ann Maxwell, (505) 670-1818, annmaxwell@outlook.com
Miranda Viscoli, co-president of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence; (323) 394-1131, mirandaviscoli@gmail.com