MoCo Government

Ghost Guns and AK-47 Among Firearms Turned in at Buyback Event

By Patrick Herron

On Saturday, August 26, the Rockville City Police Department (RCPD), in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and Montgomery County Public Schools, held a “gun buyback” event at RedGate Park (14500 Avery Rd) in Rockville. Residents that turned in a firearm received a receive a $100 Visa gift card for functioning handguns, rifles and shotguns or $200 in Visa gift cards for functioning assault-style weapons and privately manufactured firearms (ghost guns).

According to RCPD, over 110 firearms were voluntarily turned in within the first hour of the event. We will post an update when the final tally is announced. More than 300 firearms were voluntarily turned during a similar event held last August. Additional details about Saturday’s event below:

Participants must remain in their vehicle at all times. Firearms must be unloaded and transported in the trunk. No ammunition in guns is allowed. No walk-ups will be allowed. For the issuance of the gift card, weapons must be functional. The event organizers reserve the right to limit the number of gift cards given to an individual, regardless of the number of weapons surrendered. Non-functioning firearms and ammunition will be accepted with no exchange of compensation. Gift card quantities are limited and subject to availability.

  • What categorizes as a functioning or non-functioning firearm, rifle, shotgun, handgun and fully automatic rifle? An unserviceable firearm is a firearm that is incapable of discharging a shot by the action of an explosive and is incapable of being readily restored to a firing condition. A rifle is a gun, especially one fired from shoulder level, having a long spirally grooved barrel. A shotgun is a long-barreled firearm designed to shoot a straight-walled cartridge known as a shotshell, which usually discharges numerous small pellet-like spherical sub-projectiles called shot, or sometimes a single solid projectile called a slug. A fully automatic firearm an auto-loading firearm that continuously chambers and fires rounds when the trigger mechanism is actuated.
  • Does the firearm need to be functioning to participate? Yes. To receive a $100 or $200 gift card, the firearm must be in functioning operation and it will be checked on-site. Non-functioning firearms may be returned. However, they are not eligible for a gift card.
  • Can I turn in more than one firearm? Yes. You can turn in several firearms. However, the event organizers reserve the right to limit the number of gift cards given to an individual, regardless of the number of weapons surrendered.
  • Can I have someone else drop off my firearm(s)? Yes. However, the gift card(s) will be handed over to the person who turned in the firearm.
  • How long is the VISA/Mastercard gift card activated for? Each gift card will be active for 12 months.
  • Will I need to show my ID? No identification or Government ID will be needed to participate.
  • Do I need to be a City of Rockville resident to participate? No ID is required, so residency will not be checked.
  • Does my immigration status affect my ability to participate? No.
  • What happens to the firearms after they are collected? They will then be destroyed.
  • Will I be able to participate by turning in my ammunition? Yes. You will be able to turn in unwanted ammunition. However, no monetary value will be given as the gift cards only apply to firearms. Ammunition can be turned into the police department at any time not just during the Gun Buyback.