DA's Gun Buy-Back Program to Pay for Vouchers Friday

By Bay City News Service

Today is payday for people who were given vouchers when they turned in their guns and ammunition at five different locations last month during the Marin County District Attorney's Office's gun buyback event.

The vouchers will be redeemed for $200 for semi-automatic and long guns and $100 for all other guns between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Showcase Theater complex at 10 Avenue of the Flags in the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael.

The county collected 827 guns and 1,500 rounds of ammunition on Jan. 15, but $36,000 of the $43,000 that was allocated for the buyback was gone in about 90 minutes, Marin County District Attorney Ed Berberian said.

The district attorney's office then set the remaining $7,000 aside, Berberian said.

The district attorney's office then issued $68,000 in vouchers and solicited tax-deductible donations from the public.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors allocated $40,000, $30,000 of it from a "safety net" fund, and trusts administrated by the Marin Community Foundation contributed $35,000.

Contributions from the public, law enforcement agencies and public agencies totaled another $30,000.

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