San Antonio to host its first large-scale arms purchase | News from Sant Antoni | Saint Anthony

San Antonio District 9 Councilman John Courage is asking for public help to fund the city’s first large-scale gun buyback program.

With the buyback, individuals will be able to exchange up to 20 unloaded guns for HEB gift cards at the Alamodome on Nov. 19, Courage said at a press event Wednesday. It is a project that the councilor has been working on for years to reduce cases of armed violence in the city.

Courage hopes to raise $250,000 to fund the event, with $100,000 already donated from her district’s discretionary funding, according to a KSAT news report. Mayor Ron Nirenberg has also pledged $25,000, and Councilwoman Marina Alderete-Gavito has pledged $1,000.

Courage expects public donations to fill the rest of the amount.

Those who turn in a homemade or malfunctioning firearm will receive a $50 HEB gift card, while the program will pay gift cards worth $150 for a rifle or shotgun, $200 for a handgun and $300 by a semi-automatic rifle, according to Courage’s office.

People who want to trade in a firearm will have to put it in the trunk or back of their vehicle, according to the Express-News. Authorities will ask participants two simple questions: How many guns do you have? Are they downloaded and safe?

Weapons traded in the event will be destroyed. Those determined to be stolen will be returned to their owner.