SLCPD Gun Buy-Back Results in 103 Firearms Being Relinquished

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department announced the results of the Salt Lake City’s gun buy-back program, held on Saturday June 11, 2022 at the Public Safety Building.

In total, community members turned in 103 firearms, including 24 pistols, 28 revolvers, 13 shotguns and 38 rifles.

Of the 103 firearms, five had been previously reported as stolen.

This was the first gun buy-back program held in Salt Lake City, by the police department, in more than two decades.

The firearms collected will either be donated to the Salt Lake City’s Police Mutual Aid Association’s Museum or the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Crime Lab or destroyed.

The no questions asked, no-ID required gun buy-back program raised awareness to the number of guns in our community and gave community members the opportunity to relinquish any firearms or ammunition they no longer wanted.

“Today, there are 103 fewer firearms out in our community, which means 103 fewer guns that could end up in the hands of a person willing to inflict harm,” said Chief Mike Brown. “We would be naïve to think this will be the solution to gun crimes in our community, but the Salt Lake City Police Department is fully committed to doing everything we can to reduce the chance of a firearm being used illegally, lost, stolen or abandoned. Many of the people who turned in their firearms said they wanted to make sure their guns wouldn’t end up back on the streets and that’s why this gun-buy back was so important.”

Chief Brown thanks the Salt Lake City Police Department’s SWAT Team, Investigations Division, Finance Department, Crime Lab, Gang Unit and Public Relations and Outreach Unit, for their dedicated assistance to making this event possible.

Chief Brown also recognizes Mayor Erin Mendenhall and her office and the Salt Lake City Police Foundation for their support. The Salt Lake City Police Foundation made the funding possible for Saturday’s event.

Additionally, on Friday June 10, 2022, an anonymous community member donated $1,000 to support the gun buy-back event.

The Salt Lake City Police Department will look to hold another gun buy-back in the future, as resource and funding matters are considered.

Community members interested in relinquishing their firearms can do so at any time by calling 801-799-3000.

Because the gun buy-back program is over, gift cards cannot be provided, and officers will need to complete a police report documenting the surrender.

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