San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), United Playaz, George Floyd’s family member and friend, and anti-gun violence advocates today held a press conference to promote the United Playaz Gun Buy-back event this Saturday, December 12^th. The gun buy-back event provides a place for people to turn in their weapons, no questions asked, and get guns off the streets and out of communities.

Gun Buy-Back Event

United Playaz

1038 Howard St., San Francisco, CA

Saturday, December 12, 2020

8:00am – 12:00pm

The gun buy-back event will be set-up to comply with COVID-19 health requirements. Participants will remain in their personal vehicles as they drop-off the guns, and United Playaz will ensure there is adequate space for walk-up participants to maintain at least six feet of distance from others. Face coverings will be required, and United Playaz will have personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer available for participants and volunteers.

“Getting weapons off the street is essential, and events like this Gun Buy-Back provide a place for people to get guns out of their homes safely and legally,” said Mayor Breed. “As we’ve been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve also been seeing an increase in gun-related incidents throughout the United States. Here in San Francisco, we saw an increase in firearm-related incidents during the first seven months of the year. The loss of life from gun violence has to stop, and we all have to work together to save lives and keep our communities safe.”

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and United Playaz typically host gun buyback events twice per year. Following collection of the firearms, they are melted down and the parts are recycled to create jewelry and other goods that are sold to finance future gun buy-back events. United Playaz is a violence prevention and youth development organization that has worked in San Francisco for over 20 years.

“Gun buyback programs are a proven and effective strategy to stop deadly firearms from getting into the wrong hands,” said SFPD Chief William Scott. “I’m thankful for Mayor Breed's leadership on public safety initiatives like this one, and grateful to United Playaz for their continued partnership with us to help to make San Francisco safer for everyone — particularly our families and youth.”

“United Playaz hosts these gun buy backs to show the relevance of our mission statement: ‘It takes the hood to save the hood,’” said Rudy Corpuz, Jr., Founder and Executive Director of United Playaz.

The Gun Buy-Back program has operated since 2014 and has collected nearly 2,000 guns. People can turn in their guns in exchange for $100 for a handgun and $200 for assault weapons. Funding for the gun buy-back was provided by philanthropic donations and a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development.

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