Santa Barbara Gun Buyback Receives 238 Firearms

Source: Coalition Against Gun Violence

Local streets and neighborhoods are safer after Central Coast residents exchanged 238 firearms for Smart & Final Gift Cards at the 6th Anonymous Gun Buyback on Aug. 21. Residents turned in unwanted firearms to Santa Barbara Police Officers at Earl Warren Showgrounds at the Gun Buyback organized by the Coalition Against Gun Violence (CAGV) and sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara, Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County and Women’s Political Committee of Santa Barbara, among others. 

CAGV Chair Emeritus Toni Wellen thanked Santa Barbara Police Officers for their professionalism and efficiency in operating the event smoothly and successfully. With the 238 guns collected in 2021 — five of which were assault weapons — Santa Barbara Gun Buybacks have now resulted in the removal of 1,407 guns at six Santa Barbara Gun Buybacks. All guns are handled and destroyed by Santa Barbara Police Department.

Event Chair Catherine Swysen of Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee applauded the volunteer force that helped to raise funds, promote the buyback and operate it on the day of the event. “It is because of everyone involved in this coalition that we can work together to make our communities safer,” Swysen said.

Elected Officials Support Gun Buyback

Following the Gun Buyback, Santa Barbara County 1st District Supervisor Das Williams said, “Most illegal guns start as legal guns,” and pointed out that guns inherited from relatives or acquired with the best intentions can just as easily cause tragedy in a household. 

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley said that the numbers from the Buyback were telling. Of the 238 firearms, five were assault weapons, and attendees also turned in 20-to-30 “toy guns” that appear real but do not shoot bullets. Dudley said that toy guns made to look real put police officers in real danger. “So many devastating things result from toy guns,” Dudley said. (At the Gun Buyback toy guns do not qualify for gift certificates.)

3rd District Supervisor Gregg Hart praised organizers for their work at the 6th Annual Gun Buyback and the multi-year effort as a lasting community service. “When you do this for six years, the word gets out and people begin to know that there’s this resource out there in the community, so they can plan and think about how to safely dispose of unwanted guns.”

Goleta Mayor Pro Tempore James Kyriaco recalled that in early August Goodland Guns in Goleta was burglarized and stolen guns remain at large from the incident. He commented that “some will look at the incident and say to themselves ‘I need to get a gun,’ and that’s a sad, self-defeating cycle.’” He said that removing 238 guns from the streets could result in “238 fewer deaths.”