HONOLULU — The Department of Law Enforcement and partners held a gun buyback event at Aloha Stadium on Saturday, collecting some 514 firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition and related items.

What You Need To Know

  • The weapons turned in in exchange for gift cards included a fully automatic assault pistol, assault rifles, semi-automatic rifles and handguns, revolvers, shotguns, ghost guns and Glock switches used to convert Glock pistols to fully automatic firing

  • A total of 531 gift cards valued at $53,100 were distributed

The weapons turned in exchange for gift cards included a fully automatic assault pistol, assault rifles, semi-automatic rifles and handguns, revolvers, shotguns, ghost guns and Glock switches used to convert Glock pistols to fully automatic firing, according to a news release.

Those who turned in firearms received a Foodland gift card for either $100 or $200, depending on the type of firearm they turned in. A total of 531 gift cards valued at $53,100 were distributed.

Individuals could turn in any number of firearms but were limited to receiving a maximum of three gift cards. Working and non-working firearms were accepted and free gun locks to make firearms safe were offered to anyone who did not wish to turn in a gun.

“We have lost too many loved ones and endured far too much gun violence in our neighborhoods where we should be able to feel safe,” said Gov. Josh Green in the release. “This second event and the whole gun buyback initiative is part of a larger effort to combat gun violence and promote safe neighborhoods across Hawaii. I am proud to be working with our law enforcement agencies to expand this program statewide.”

Department of Law Enforcement Director Jordan Lowe said, “We are truly gratified by the community response to this buyback program, which is just one way we are working to make our community safer. Turning in unwanted guns may help save a life and prevent a future crime from being committed.”

The ongoing effort to protect residents from gun violence is a collaborative effort with the Department of Law Enforcement partnering with the Office of the Governor, the Department of the Attorney General, Honolulu Police Department and Honolulu Emergency Services.

The event was an amnesty program, so no questions were asked about individuals dropping off guns and no identification was required.

Future gun buyback events are being discussed with county law enforcement partners statewide.