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Voluntary Firearm Buy-Back Event on January 8, 2013

by on Jan. 07, 2013, under Health, Life, Politics

Press Release from Republican Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik, who organized this event:

Voluntary Firearm Buy-Back Event

On Tuesday, January 8th, beginning at 9am, Tucson Police will be accepting firearms, .22 caliber or larger where the weapon is designed to fire a projectile that is propelled using expanding gas, that are voluntarily turned in by members of the general public. In exchange, a $50 Safeway Food Store gift card will be provided. The event will take place at the Tucson Police Department Hardesty Sub-Station located on Alvernon Way, just north of 22nd. There is a limited number of Gift Cards, so the event will end when they’ve all been given out.

Tucson Police will ensure the disposal of all firearms that are voluntarily turned in during this event will be handled in compliance with all relevant Arizona Revised Statutes. Serial numbers will be tracked through appropriate databases to identify weapons reported as lost or stolen, or that may be implicated in any criminal activity.

This event is made possible by the generous donations from private individuals who join me in wanting to offer this opportunity to City residents to properly dispose of unwanted firearms. As has occurred in many other cities, we hope this will allow people who wish to participate, a greater sense of safety in their own homes for having taken part.

This event is coincidentally being held on the 2nd anniversary of the Tucson Tragedy shooting of January 8, 2011 when 19 people were shot at the NW Safeway at Ina/Oracle including then-CD 8 Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, three members of her staff (including now-CD 2 Congressman Ron Barber), Federal District Judge John Roll, and several others. Six people died that day and the shooter Jared Lee Loughner was thereafter sentenced to several life sentences (with no possibility of parole).

Further info about the buy-back event, contact the Council 6 Ward office at 520-791-4601 or email ward6@tucsonaz.gov.

And the AZ Daily Star reported on Saturday Jan. 5 that former LD 30 State Senator Frank Antenori has offered “cold cash” for guns starting at $100, for his own private collection at the same police station on 1/8/13. Click here for that article.



  • Dr John

    Carolyn,

    Many thanks for posting this announcement concerning tomorrow’s gun buyback, together with your notice regarding the Kozachik/Fitzsimmons roast at the Loft this evening!

    • Carolyn_Classen

      Thanks Dr. John. I hear that former Senator Antenori will be at the town hall tonight, and he’s being interviewed on the John C. Scott radio show (KVOI 1030 AM) right now.

  • Carolyn_Classen

    Steve K said last night at his Ward 6 town hall/roast that he intended this program today to be for those who felt “uncomfortable” with gun ownership to safely return their gun to the police. He cited cases of people contacting him about guns involved in suicides or crimes, or had belonged to deceased family members, or were around in households where children may have access to them. Event starts at 9 a.m. but former Senator Antenori told me he would be there by 8:30 a.m.

  • Carolyn_Classen

    About 50 people in line at Hardesty police station at 10:30 a.m. this morning to turn in their guns (mostly rifles) for the gift card. Several more people milling around in 3 areas offering to pay cash for guns, about $50 to $150 per one group at the north end of the parking lot. Former Senator Antenori there at the sidewalk along Alvernon. Lots of media and police presence, while Councilman Steve K was being interviewed by TV stations.