By Raquel Rogers
The city of Houston’s first annual gun buyback event drew hundreds of people on Saturday.
Lines of cars could be seen wrapped around the block at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in southeast Houston where the event was held. Officials collected 845 guns and say they gave out nearly $100,000 in gift cards throughout the event.
“I got a shotgun and a .32,” said Marvin Washington.
“It’s an old .22, but it’s like 50 years old, but it’s been laying around,” said Brian Carr.
Community members surrendering their firearms had different back stories but shared one common goal.
The don’t ask, don’t tell buyback program is one of the latest efforts under Mayor Turner’s “One Safe Houston” initiative to combat violent crime.