Nearly 500 firearms recovered in state’s first gun buyback event on Oahu

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Nearly 500 firearms were recovered during the state’s gun buyback event on Oahu this past weekend, according to the state Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Public Safety.

The buyback was held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kinau Hale on Punchbowl Street and at the Department of Transportation Waianae Corporate Base Yard on Farrington Parkway.

PSD said there was no limit on the number of firearms turned in, but individuals were limited to receiving a maximum of three gift cards total.

Individuals who turned in the following firearms were provided with compensation in the form of Foodland gift cards:

• $200 Foodland gift card for automatic firearms of any type, semi-automatic rifles, ghost guns.
• $100 Foodland gift card for handguns, rifles, shotguns, bump stocks, Glock switches

DLE said they received an assortment of firearms, including ghost guns, assault rifles, a gun with silencer, an Uzi, a Mac10, a pistol with threaded barrel and silencer, sawed off shotguns, and all types of rifles and handguns.

It’s unclear how many gift cards were given out but the department said a minimum of 500 gift cards were given out.

Over 80 gun locks were distributed at both locations for those who didn’t wish to turn in a gun, but still wanted to make their firearms safe.

Organizers said no questions were asked and identification was not required during the buyback event.

The initiative is part of the ongoing effort to protect residents from gun violence and to keep communities safe.

“It also lessens the availability of firearms being diverted somehow into the criminal element,” said Jordan Lowe, director of the Department of Law Enforcement.

“I think this program, if we’re able to prevent one accidental shooting, a suicide by firearm, but also any gun violence, you know, I think that’s a win.”

The department says this is the first of several buybacks events planned across the state.