Gun Buyback Nets Over 1000 Firearms (NR085-25ajef)

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Gun Buyback Nets Over 1000 Firearms (NR085-25ajef)

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mrdstamp
Los Santos Police Department
Los Santos, San Andreas

News Release

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NR085-25ajef
October 3, 2025
Gun Buyback Nets Over 1000 Firearms

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Los Santos: The Los Santos Police Department hosted its first gun buyback event in years, resulting in the surrender of a significant number of firearms in return for large payouts in cash.

The gun buyback program was developed by the Firearms Licensing Division and the Gang and Narcotics Division, in collaboration with the San Andreas State Government. The main goal of the program was to remove unwanted, broken, and illegal firearms from the streets and circulation, so that they cannot be misused, resold, or stolen.

Through the buyback event and program, residents were provided the unique opportunity to hand over firearms in their possession, with no questions asked, and without any legal repercussions or persecution. Those in attendance did not need to identify to enter the area or hand in their firearms, and were permitted to conceal their identity by means of face concealment to reaffirm further and allow them to enjoy the anonymity.

In return, they were offered 75% of the value per firearm, directly in cash. A large variety of both people and firearms came through the event. Where one person would hand in ten pistols, another would hand in a combat machine gun or dated service carbines, also including unique items, such as an individual with a minigun. Important to note is that there has been no confirmation that this type of heavy weaponry was legitimate. At the end, the event resulted in the surrender of more than 1,050 firearms, with payouts totalling a little over $6,000,000.

Prior to the start of the event, intelligence was obtained that insinuated an attempt to attack the event and either intercept citizens on their way to the event or intercept the officers in an effort to steal the collected firearms. To that end, a collaborative effort was launched with the Metropolitan Division's D Platoon (SWAT) to ensure event security, but more importantly, the safety of the attendees.

As predicted, a small group of assailants armed with heavy weaponry and armored vests attempted an assault on the ongoing event, an assault that was quickly fended off by LSPD officers, both tactical and patrol. The Los Santos County Sheriff's Department quickly arrived to aid, along with their Special Enforcement Bureau, and assisted in restoring peace and stability at the event location, for which we extend our gratitude. With multiple suspects tended to by the paramedics of LSEMS and later transported to Bolingbroke, two injured officers were transported to Pillbox Medical, both of whom have since made a full recovery.

Once order was restored, the event continued without further incident, with an estimated $1 million worth of firearms still being handed over. At the conclusion of the event, a large convoy took place to transport all the collected firearms for disposal. This transport was met with no resistance.


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Administrator I Ally Jean, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations Division wrote: When I first pitched the idea of a gun buyback event to Detective Molloy, it was about finding a way to make our community safer, all while building trust with the public. From our time in the community, we knew there were guns out there that people no longer wanted for a number of reasons. We wanted to provide a safe, anonymous way to have the public turn them in. I'm so proud that this event helped to take over 1000 firearms off the streets. I'm grateful the community trusted us, and we, in turn, demonstrated that together we can make Los Santos safer.


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Detective I Dean Molloy, Commanding Officer, Firearms Licensing Division wrote: We wanted to do something to take guns off the streets, and we did. The gun buyback initiative was a notable success. Not only was this intended to remove guns from the street in an effort to have safer streets, but also to provide opportunities to those who, in one way or another, have accumulated a large stash of guns that they want to get rid of. Every gun handed over to us is one less gun used in a crime.

A small group of "Shadows" attacked our event, but they were dealt with quickly. You don't just walk into a gun-oriented event with loads of armed officers there and begin shooting into a crowd without facing the consequences. The way I see it, they reiterated why this event was needed and why gun violence needs to be tackled.


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Chief of Police Elena Flores wrote: I think it's beautiful to see the success of an initiative to, in essence, take a tried and previously failed program, revitalize it, put it out there, and turn it into a major success. The LSPD has not hosted a gun buyback program or event in, I'd say, six, seven, maybe eight years, particularly because the necessary facilities did not exist at the time it was originally thought of, and instead it was simply a system to be abused, which it inevitably was, and in turn resulted in its shutdown.

This time around, the officers of firearms licensing did a phenomenal job of working out the logistics and, despite my reservations and hesitations, had a turnover of over 1000 firearms, a significant number of attendees, and an all-around success.

It is a shame that there was a group of individuals who felt the need to violently attack and disturb an event that promotes a clear way to safer streets and a reduction in firearms in circulation, but that will not deter us from our goals.


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mrdstamp
MEDIA RELATIONS DIVISION
Administrative Services Bureau
Los Santos Police Department — "To Protect and to Serve"

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