KPD Guns for Gift Cards Exchange a Success

Published on June 29, 2022

Media Contact: Sergeant Eric Karp
Kirkland Police Department
Email: ekarp@kirklandwa.gov
425-587-3436

Dozens of guns exchanged for more than $11,000 in gift cards

KIRKLAND, Wash. – At the first voluntary gun turn-in event in the Puget Sound region in nearly 10 years, Kirkland Police Department received 91 guns at its ‘Guns for Gift Cards’ exchange last Saturday, June 25, at the Kirkland Justice Center.

The event, which invited residents to voluntarily relinquish unwanted firearms in exchange for useful gift cards, drew 45 participants who received $11,375 in gift cards.

“With these guns out of our community, we are one step closer to helping reduce the likelihood of accidental injuries, violent crimes, and suicides by firearms in our City,” said Kirkland City Councilmember Amy Falcone. “Public safety is our highest priority, and the potential for preventing gun-related deaths in our community makes this event a success.”

The volume of firearms received for this event was more than anticipated. Specifically, event participants turned in three AR-15/AK-47 type firearms, 32 handguns, 47 rifles/shotguns, and 9 obviously non-functioning firearms/pellet guns.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to all of the people who participated on Saturday,” said Kirkland Police Chief Cherie Harris. “Events like this, along with firearm safety courses and gun locks, can help reduce the risk of firearms being stolen and used in violent crimes or accidental deaths.”

The Guns for Gift Cards exchange in Kirkland was the first gun turn-in event held by law enforcement in the Puget Sound region since 2013 in Seattle.

Guns for Gift Cards, along with a series of firearms safety videos published over the last year and a half, are part of KPD’s ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence and unwanted firearms in our community. KPD is planning another Guns for Gift Cards exchange event in July.

See more information about KPD’s Guns for Gift Cards.