San Mateo police collect 288 guns through buyback event

18 untraceable ghost guns and six assault weapons were surrendered during the event.

SAN CARLOS — A total of 288 firearms were collected during an anonymous gun buyback event held in San Mateo County on Saturday.

The collection, which took place in San Carlos, included six assault weapons and 18 “ghost” or untraceable, guns.

The event was hosted by San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos G. Bolanos, Redwood City Police Chief Dan Mulholland, Belmont Police Chief Ken Stenquist, and the Citizens for San Mateo County Gun Buyback.

Those who took part surrendered their weapons, no questions asked, in exchange for $50 to $200 in cash.

Similar buyback events have taken place in other Bay Area cities over the past few months, including in Pittsburg and Livermore.

Bolanos said that additional buyback events will be held in the new year.

“The purpose of the gun buyback program is to make the County of San Mateo safer for those who live and work here. Many households in the county have unwanted, unused, and unsecured guns. The purpose of the gun buyback is to get rid of guns, no questions asked,” he said.

“We are providing a place for people to come and dispose of them and get some money in return.
We feel this will improve public safety in our county.”