Dozens of drivers lined up at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex on Saturday morning to turn in guns to the Clearwater Police Department.
"I had two guns in the trunk that I haven't used in probably 25 or 30 years,” said Leonard Feutz. “I thought why don't I get them out of the closet and get rid of them."
Leonard Feutz is one of the many who turned in handguns and rifles in exchange for $50 and $100 Walmart gift cards. The police department’s goal was to create an opportunity for people to get rid of their guns before the weapons ended up in the wrong hands.
"Whether we are able to accept 200 or 27 guns or somewhere in between; one gun sitting around someone's house can be stolen and used in a crime,” said Rob Shaw of the Clearwater Police Department.
Gun sales skyrocketed across the country and here in Florida following the tragedy in San Bernardino, California. However the surge didn’t stop people in the bay area from turning in the guns for gifts.
This year’s event brought in more than 450 weapons. The department collected around 200 weapons at their last buyback event in 2011.
The department issued more than $37,000 in Walmart gift cards at the event.