San Jose police chief unveils ghost gun buyback program

The announcement follows a non-fatal police shooting at a downtown taqueria early Sunday.

SAN JOSE – San Jose police Chief Anthony Mata on Tuesday announced a new program that will offer cash rewards for information that leads to the seizure of ghost guns.

Mata unveiled the initiative during a news conference to discuss a non-fatal police shooting at a downtown taqueria early Sunday. A ghost gun, or a firearm that does not have a serial number and cannot be traced, was recovered at the scene, Mata said.

Mata said his agency is focused on taking ghost guns off the street. Of the 1,108 firearms seized by officers in the past 14 months, 287, or nearly 26 percent, were ghost guns.

“Each gun seized represents a potential life saved or violent incident avoided,” he said.

Mata said his agency plans to reach out to partners who previously supported other gun buyback efforts.

“Partnering with our community, I know we can make a dent in the proliferation of these firearms,” Mata said. “I believe that targeting these types of weapons and the people who are already prohibited from possessing firearms is the best and most urgent use of funding intended to reduce gun violence.”

Mata said cash rewards will be given for information leading up to the seizure of a ghost gun or assault rifle. The amount will be greater for information about dealers and manufacturers.

Tips can be submitted at www.svcrimestoppers.org or by calling 408-947-STOP (7867).

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