'It's a good thing to get the guns off the street': Houstonians say they support gun buyback events

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Mayor Sylvester Turner joined Harris County leaders Monday afternoon to give details on the latest gun buyback program. This time, it'll take place outside the city, in Harris County.

The city's third gun buyback event will take place at Deussen Park in northeast Harris County on Saturday, Feb. 18, starting at 8 a.m. until noon.

Officials made the announcement at Worthing Early College High School in front of an anti-gun violence mural.

The gun buyback programs are all a part of the Harris County and Houston initiative to prevent gun violence, and officials told ABC13 that getting guns off the street is a big step in doing just that.

The first two gun buyback events took place in high-crime neighborhoods, but this time, county leaders are going outside the city.

Leaders told Eyewitness News they are moving the event where there might be more unwanted guns.

"Wherever the guns are, if people want to turn them in, we want to make it easy. No questions asked," Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said.

Houston has seen two wildly successful gun buyback events in the last seven months, with lines forming hours before the events begin.

Harris County Precinct 1 deputies said more than 2,000 firearms were collected during those events.

City leaders said whoever brings a gun will receive gift cards ranging from $50 to $200, depending on the firearm, in exchange.

There will be no questions asked, and those surrendering firearms were happy to do so in the past.

"It's just a good thing to get the guns off the street, with all the violence and killings and these types of things. Whatever can help," Andy Davis, a supporter of gun buybacks, said.

Leaders said they've made improvements to reduce line times by adding more staff and handling paperwork behind the scenes.

Unlike the first event, they will not accept ghost guns or computer-generated weapons.

SEE MORE:

• Houston mayor says 1,208 guns collected in 2nd 'no questions asked' gun buyback
• Houston leaders call for gun reform, saying lack of restrictions adds to crime problem
• Ghost guns eliminated from future 'No questions asked' gun buyback events in Houston
• Houstonians wait in line for hours to turn guns over at 'No questions asked' gun buyback event
• Houstonians can exchange guns for gift cards at buyback event Saturday
• Texas Senator John Cornyn addresses gun safety legislation after Uvalde school massacre