First published in the Dec. 3 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
The Burbank Police Department will host an anonymous gun buyback event for city of Burbank residents on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will be held in the rear parking lot of the Police and Fire Headquarters, located at 200 North Third St.
The goal of the event is to reduce the availability of unwanted firearms in the community by providing an opportunity for the safe and anonymous disposal of guns.
All weapons collected will be verified to determine if they have been reported as lost or stolen, and if applicable, will be returned to their legal owners. All other firearms will be destroyed in compliance with California state law.
The drive-thru event will provide residents with an opportunity to anonymously turn in unwanted guns without having to show any identification and with “no questions asked.”
Burbank police officers will accept all unwanted guns upon entering the rear lot of the headquarters parking lot, off Palm Avenue. Participants will receive a $100 gift card for each handgun, rifle or shotgun, and/or a $200 gift card for each state of California-classified assault weapon, while supplies last. No gift cards will be given for incomplete guns or gun parts. However, they will be accepted for destruction.
The buyback event follows a string of gun safety precautions by the city in recent months.
In August, the Burbank City Council voted to extend a moratorium on new firearms retailers until July 2023. The decision was intended to prevent the establishment of new gun stores while the city investigates further zoning regulations on the retailers.
The city mandated the original 45-day moratorium on July 26, after community members raised concerns over the new Gun World’s proximity to Roosevelt Elementary School. Many of the 14 firearms retailers in Burbank are located near sensitive-use sites such as religious centers and schools.
Since the August meeting, city officials began a full review of a model gun control ordinance written by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Burbank could draft new common sense gun laws based on this model ordinance. One of the recommendations from staff during the meeting was a gun buyback program.
Future measures could include gun-education programs and strict measures against ghost guns — firearms that lack serial numbers or those that have been assembled illegally.
Participants of the gun buyback event are required to follow the instructions below:
• Firearms must be transported and delivered unloaded, with clips or magazines removed, and carried in the trunk or rear cargo area, out of reach of the occupants.
• Participants must not bring ammunition and will be required to remain in their vehicles at all times.
• No military ordnances or explosives are allowed.
• Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted to carry firearms and should refrain from transporting a gun to the event.
• No walk-ups are allowed.
