TAMPA, Fla. — Hundreds of people lined up in their vehicles Saturday to turn in their firearms.

The Gun Swap was held in Tampa as part of partnership between the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Tampa Bay Rays.

Every person who turned in a gun received $50 and one voucher for a pair of Rays tickets. 

Sheriff Chad Chronister said there's been an increase in calls from residents trying to safely get rid of unwanted weapons. He said there's also been too many stolen guns circulating the streets. 

"If we can save one life because that firearm doesn't fall in the wrong hands, or we could stop one crime because that firearm doesn't fall into a bad guy's hands, this is going to be a great day," Chronister said.

 

 

Officials said the Gun Swap is a drive-thru service where a deputy will approach the vehicle, take the gun, and hand the resident an envelope with cash and a voucher. Officials say no ID is needed. 

Deputies only accepted unloaded firearms; other items such as BB guns were not accepted. The collected guns will be destroyed.

The last Gun Swap was held in 2013 and deputies collected 2,541 firearms, including at least 11 stolen guns and hundreds of illegal weapons. Deputies distributed $55,000 in cash within an hour into the event, officials said.