The D.C. Area Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Network (Interfaith GVP Network), in partnership with the Montgomery County Sheriff and State’s Attorney, will host a gun buyback event at the United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley (13421 Clopper Road) in Germantown on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 9am-1pm.
Per the news release: This will be the first faith-based, “up-county” gun buyback in a section of Montgomery County which in recent years has seen an uptick in gun violence. This buyback also follows successful gun buybacks held since summer 2023 in Baltimore, Rockville, and Upper Marlboro, MD.
Community members will be able anonymously and voluntarily to turn in their firearms and receive a $100 food store gift card for functioning handguns, rifles, and shotguns, and a $200 food store gift card for functioning military assault-style weapons and privately manufactured firearms (“ghost guns”). All firearms will be accepted with no identification requested and a no-questions-asked policy by law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office will inspect all firearms prior to the Interfaith GVP Network deciding the eligibility for gift cards and providing gun safety information.
Maxwell Uy, Sheriff of Montgomery County, has further assured the Interfaith GVP Network that all the guns surrendered on April 20, 2024, “will be completely destroyed” and no components will be re-purposed in any manner.
Participants must remain in their vehicles at all times. Firearms must be unloaded and transported in the trunk. No ammunition in guns is allowed. No walk-ups will be allowed. The sponsors 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 but with no exchange of compensation. Gift card quantities are limited and subject to availability.
Every gun turned in is one less gun that could be used in a serious crime, homicide, suicide, or domestic violence incident, or accidentally discharged by a child. Keeping guns off our community streets, out of the hands of our youth and out of our schools are our highest priorities. This is a great opportunity for any person who would like to dispose of an unwanted firearm voluntarily, anonymously, and safely.
The Interfaith GVP Network is a coalition founded in 2017 of volunteers from over 40 churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples in the DMV area most active in gun violence prevention. They have agreed to inform and act with fellow congregants, clergy, and others seeking to prevent and reduce gun violence. Network members supporting this gun buyback include the United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley, the site of this Germantown buyback, and Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore.
The Interfaith GVP Network seeks financial support from Montgomery County businesses, members of the Interfaith GVP Network, other faith groups, foundations, county offices, and the public to help fund this buyback. The Network hopes to raise a minimum of $30,000, enabling us to remove at least 300 guns from county streets at an average of $100 per gun. The more money we raise the more guns we can remove from the community and further increase public safety.
*All donations are 100% tax deductible.
*To donate by credit or debit card, go to this URL: https://bit.ly/gunbb. OR scan with phone:
* To donate by check, please make it payable to “Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore,” and specify in the check’s memo line: “Up-County Gun Buyback.” Please mail checks to: Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, c/o Kurt Hansen, 6621 Struttmann Lane, Rockville, MD 20852.