gunbuyback2.jpg
On a table in the mayor's conference room, Seattle police displayed some of the high-powered weapons handed over Saturday during the city's gun buyback. (Image courtesy Seattle Police Department)

Stolen guns, assault weapons part of Seattle buyback

BY Tim Haeck  on January 28, 2013 @ 11:30 am (Updated: 12:54 pm - 1/28/13 )

On a table in the mayor's conference room, Seattle police displayed some of the high-powered weapons handed over Saturday during the city's gun buyback. Along with rifles and handguns was a non-working military-style grenade launcher.

Police call the gun buyback an "overwhelming" success, reporting 716 firearms turned in over about three-and-a-half hours, including 348 pistols and 364 rifles. "That's incredible" gushed deputy police chief Nick Metz.

There were long lines and traffic jams Saturday morning. Metz considers that a symptom of the program's success. The buyback shut down when lines got too long and then reopened for another half hour or so, until the gift cards ran out.

In total, $68,000 in gift cards were exchanged for the weapons. At least four of the weapons were stolen. Police say they'll attempt to find their owners. Other weapons turned in will be melted down.

"We were not expecting the level of response that we received on Saturday, and for that I really need to thank the citizens of our region," said Metz. "They stepped up and made sure that they got their unwanted weapons and unwanted weapon accessories taken out of their homes."

Metz says among the guns handed in were dozens of assault weapons, one that was homemade. He says police have contacted Joint Base Lewis-McChord to see if the Army wants the military weapon.

While pleased with the public's response, Mayor Mike McGinn was disturbed by the gun dealers who crashed the buyback event, paying cash on the spot for weapons that some people were planning to turn in.

"You got to see exactly what it means when we say there's an unregulated gun market in the city of Seattle and it was absolutely, uh, crazy what we saw out there," said the mayor.

Until the next event is announced, police and the King County Sheriff say you can always turn in an unwanted weapon by calling the cops and arranging a drop-off.

You might also be interested in:

Dave Ross: SPD held a buyback, and a gun show broke out

Hundreds show up for Seattle gun buyback

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • More to the Story
    Liberace's ex-lover says the world will hear more of his story, and Michael Jackson's in there

  • 'I Am A God'
    Critics say Kanye West's album will change music forever

  • A Skeptic's Doubts
    An ESPN columnist doubts Russell Wilson will ever be elite
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (7)


  • Add A Comment

  • flipper wrote...
    Nobody charged, eh?
    January 28, 2013 1:36 pm
    Folks turning in fully automatic weapons (a FEDERAL gun violation) and nothing happens to them? How many of the guns actually worked/were at all functional? You gave away $68K for a bunch of junk.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    flipper...If they want better weapons they will have to pay more.
    January 28, 2013 3:11 pm
    Like the collectors and dealers were doing between Cherry and James.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • renovator wrote...
    Do turned in stolen guns get returned?
    January 28, 2013 3:14 pm
    The title says that they recovered "stolen guns". So presumably they checked serial numbers and found them on lists of reported thefts. Therefore, they know who reported them stolen in the first place. Do the rightful owners get to claim them?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • renovator wrote...
    never mind
    January 28, 2013 3:16 pm
    I just reread the article. Apparently the owners will be contacted.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RonJ wrote...
    I tried to sell my assault weapon
    January 28, 2013 3:30 pm
    to them (a bowling ball that I hit my neighbor with) but they just laughed. On the other hand they arrested me for assault with a deadly weapon.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hawks$life wrote...
    those NFA guns
    January 28, 2013 6:56 pm
    were already part of SPDs stock and were not items turned in on Saturday. They're using them as props to drum up the public. Or how did obama put it... 'ginning'? or something stupid?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • irony wrote...
    At least four of the weapons were stolen.
    January 28, 2013 7:38 pm
    just for of over 700, that really sounds like the criminals gave up and turned over all their guns so we can all rest safe knowing there will be no more shooing by the criminals.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }