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San Mateo County law enforcement collected nearly 400 weapons last weekend at a gun buyback event in South San Francisco.
A total of 392 firearms were collected by officials, who encouraged people to surrender their weapons anonymously. The total included seven assault weapons and 12 untraceable "ghost guns." 
Those who surrendered weapons received $100 cash for handguns, shotguns, or rifles and $200 cash for assault weapons and “ghost guns.”
"Many households in the county have unwanted, unused, and unsecured guns," said San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos G. Bolanos. "The purpose of the gun buyback is to get rid of guns, no questions asked. We are providing a place for people to come and dispose of them and get some money in return. We feel this will improve public safety in our county."
According to San Mateo County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Javier Acosta, the returned weapons are placed in a vehicle and crushed at a local junkyard and then melted down. Their serial numbers are reported to the U.S. Department of Justice to show that the weapons have been removed from circulation.
Another gun buyback event will take place this year. If you have any questions, please contact San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Javier Acosta at 650-363-4800.
