San Diego Sheriff's Vista deputies buy 60+ unwanted firearms

San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies traded gift cards for a total of 62 handguns, rifles, shotguns and assault weapons in Vista Saturday.

The Saturday firearm safety event was held at the North County Superior Court at 325 S. Melrose Drive, according to sheriff’s officials.

People received $100 gift cards for handguns, rifles and shotguns and a $250 gift card for assault weapons, officials said.

Deputies also gave firearm lock boxes and trigger locks to anyone who wanted one.

The collected weapons will be processed, with those involved in crimes returned to the appropriate law enforcement agency and the original owners of stolen weapons will be contacted, sheriff’s officials said. The remaining weapons will be destroyed.

People can always turn in unwanted weapons at any sheriff’s station or substation or any other law enforcement agency, officials said. For their own safety, they should keep the gun in the trunk and await further instructions when they bring them.