Palm Springs Police Buying Guns, No Questions

Police in Palm Springs will offer $50 and $100 gift cards today in exchange for firearms and ammunition turned in by city residents — but be sure to leave your weapons inside your vehicle until an officer arrives to escort you to the redemption area.

It’s the department’s annual ”Gifts for Guns” program. It gets under way at 11 a.m. at 200 South Civic and will continue until the gift cards — $50 for handguns and $100 for rifles — are gone.

“California currently ranks number 5 for gun violence nationwide,” said police Chief David Dominguez.

“A vast majority of guns used to commit violent crimes are stolen or obtained illegally. This program is designed to reduce gun violence in the Coachella Valley by working with the community and taking a proactive stand towards reducing gun violence through the collection of firearms, by getting them off the streets and preventing guns from getting into the hands of criminals,” he said.

Last time around, the department collected 83 firearms, Dominguez said. He said officers will come out to your car or other vehicle to help get the guns inside safely. Ammunition also can be turned in for destruction, he said.

The program is made possible through donations by 80th District Assemblyman Manuel Perez, county Supervisor John Benoit, Southern California Braiding Co. Inc. and Stater Bros. Markets.

Priority will be given to Palm Springs residents, so be sure to have some form of proof of residency available, Officer Rhonda Long said.