Houston mayor says 1,208 guns collected in 2nd 'no questions asked' gun buyback

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- City leaders held the second "no questions asked" gun buyback event on Saturday.

More than 800 weapons were collected during the city's inaugural buyback in July. The second time around 1,208 guns were collected.

According to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, 368 revolvers, 279 semi-automatic handguns, 243 shotguns, 227 rifles, and 91 rifle semi-automatics were collected on Saturday.

Turner said it's the largest gun buyback day in U.S. history.

"We believe this the largest one-day gun buyback collection, if not the largest, in U.S. history," Turner said.

In exchange, $100,000 worth of gift cards were handed out to those who brought guns.

Gift card funding:

• Non-functioning firearm - $50

• Shotgun or rifle (hunting) - $100

• Revolver, semi-automatic handgun - $150

• Rifle, semi-automatic - $200

Turner told ABC13 during July's event, people 3D printed or made guns specifically for the gun buyback program, so this time, no privately manufactured "ghost guns" were accepted.

READ MORE: Ghost guns eliminated from future 'No questions asked' gun buyback events in Houston

That wasn't the only change, there was a 25-firearm limit per vehicle onsite. Anyone with more firearms to trade in had to make separate arrangements by sending an email to Mayor's Task Force on Policing Reform.

Multiple lanes were available to accommodate more cars.

Participants were asked to unload guns before arrival, store firearms in the trunk of their vehicle, and stay in their vehicle at all times.

Houston police officers at the event opened trunks to retrieve the weapons.

Andy Davis, who's lived in Houston his entire life, said he didn't mind waking up early and waiting in line to trade his unwanted guns for gift cards.

"Anything to help the city be safer," Davis said.

More attendees ABC13 spoke to shared that same sentiment.

"Just in case you know. They are just laying around and if we do get broken into, that's just ammunition for criminals to do stuff with them that they don't need to be doing," Houstonian April Rhodes said.

"I don't need them. They could get stolen. I don't see why you need 7, 8 guns," Rev. Michael Rainey said.

This program has faced criticism with some people asking why the 1 million federal dollars spent on the buyback couldn't go towards more officers on the streets.

Some were bothered by the "no questions asked" aspect. However, Turner and Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner called Saturday's event another success. They said it is not a perfect solution, but one tool they have.

"I'm looking forward to even more gun buybacks. It removes guns off the streets and puts them in safe hands. So that's a good thing," Finner said.

For more information on the buyback event, visit One Safe Houston's website.

For more news updates, follow Courtney Carpenter on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SEE ALSO: Houstonians wait in line for hours to turn guns over at 'No questions asked' gun buyback event