ORLANDO, Fla. – Turn in a gun, get a gift card — no questions asked.
The annual gun buy-back program, “Kicks 4 Guns,” was started more than 20 years ago by Crimeline and REAL Radio 104.1 and has since collected hundreds of firearms for disposal each year.
The event resumed Thursday, hosted by local law enforcement at 10 locations throughout Central Florida.
The event gives people a chance to turn in unwanted weapons in exchange for a $50 gift card.
“It’s basically a gun buyback program for those folks that have guns in the house that they no longer have a need for, a want or desire to keep,” said Sgt. Tim Nazzaro with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The only requirement is for the gun owner to ensure that the weapon is unloaded. If the gun is not secured, participants are asked to store the firearm in the trunk of a car so a deputy or officer can safely remove it.
Nazzaro said law enforcement will not ask questions about the guns. People can drive up, the officers will remove them from the trunk safely, and hand out the gift card. Nazzaro said it was just a way to clean up the county a bit. They also do not take down any names or record license plates.
“Anytime we can take guns off the street, it’s fantastic for us. It makes our deputies safer, it makes our streets safer, and it makes the community at large safer.” Nazzaro said.
Law enforcement does check if a gun is stolen, but then they return it to the rightful owner. any other weapons are destroyed.
In Volusia County, authorities posted a photo of the first gun that was turned in at the DeLand location.
***UPDATE*** Final tally from Kicks 4 Guns at the Volusia County Fairgrounds: 22 handguns (2 previously reported...
Posted by Volusia Sheriff's Office on Thursday, May 19, 2022
In the post, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood explained his view on the Kicks 4 Guns program.
“The keyword here is UNWANTED.
“If you’re like the vast majority of gun owners in America – YOU are the first line of defense against criminals who would cause harm to you or your family.
“The reality is that armed, law-abiding citizens make Volusia County safer.
“If criminals are smart, they’ll think twice before they break into a house or carjack a driver in an area full of residents exercising their 2nd Amendment rights.
“So if you are one of these gun owners, Kicks 4 Guns is NOT for you!
“Kicks 4 Guns is for the parent or grandparent who finds a firearm hidden in their kid’s bedroom, or the teenager who’s handed a stolen gun and has second thoughts. It’s for anyone wants to get rid of an UNWANTED gun, whatever their reasons, with total amnesty.
“No questions asked, we will take those off your hands and hand you a gift card.
“If you own a gun that you still use, still want, still need to protect yourself and your loved ones, I’m sorry, but I DON’T want to see you at Kicks 4 Guns!
“Thanks to Crimeline and Real Radio 104.1 Monsters in the Morning for sponsoring this program across Central Florida for more than 20 years.”
Here are the addresses for each drive-thru drop-off site:
- 105 Horatio Av, Maitland (Vacant Lot) from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- 2065 US 441, Mt Dora (Renningers Antique Center) from 7 a.m. - 5p.m.
- 476 Ocoee Commerce Pkwy, Ocoee (High Point Church) from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- 1723 Bruton Blvd, Orlando (Smith Center) from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- 2800 S OBT, Orlando (OBT Development Center) from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- 445 W 13th, Apopka (John Bridges Center) from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- 1875 Silver Spur Ln, Kissimmee (Osceola Heritage Park) from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- 501 E Seminole Blvd, Sanford (Sanford Civic Center) 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- 3150 E New York Av, Deland (Volusia Fair Grounds) 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- 701 Bill France Blvd, Daytona 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Participants do not need to provide their name or age and will not be recorded unless they give permission.