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SFPD reports 119 firearms surrendered at ‘gifts for guns’ event; chief highlights new local gun rules
Summary
Chief Fong told the Police Commission that a July gifts-for-guns event recovered 119 firearms — including semi-automatic rifles and a sawed-off shotgun — and briefed commissioners on three recently signed local ordinances tightening sales, inventory reporting and secured storage requirements.
San Francisco Police Chief spoke to the Police Commission on Aug. 1 about a city-hosted "gifts for guns" event in Civic Center Plaza that collected 119 firearms, some of which were semi-automatic rifles and other weapons.
Chief Fong said recovered firearms included sawed-off shotguns, an AR-15 and an Uzi among other weapons. The city worked with the mayor—s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) and community partners; residents were offered prepaid debit/grocery cards ($100–$200 depending on the weapon) or could decline the gift and surrender a firearm anonymously.
Fong described the department—s process for handling surrendered and seized weapons: serial numbers are checked to determine whether a firearm is stolen; ballistics testing is performed to see if weapons were used in prior incidents; and, after processing, firearms are destroyed so they cannot be used again. The chief said the department will not sell firearms recovered by the city.
The chief also summarized three local ordinances recently signed by the mayor and now in effect: limits on where firearms may be sold within the city (restricted to authorized dealers), a requirement for dealers to provide an inventory to the department every six months (more stringent than state DOJ guidelines), and a requirement for secure storage or trigger locks for firearms kept in residences. Fong said those local rules, combined with voluntary surrender events, are part of a broader strategy to reduce the number of weapons in circulation.
Commissioners praised the buyback results and asked follow-up questions about storage, disposal and whether future events might expand. The department said it will publicize safe-turn-in procedures and consider additional events and criteria to keep the exchange safe for staff and residents.
