APD Partners with New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, NM United, Lobo Athletics and Isotopes for Gun Buyback event

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department is partnering with New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, Isotopes, New Mexico Lobos, and New Mexico United Soccer for a Gun Buyback Event.  The Buyback Event will be on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. at APD’s University Substation, located at 1009 Bradbury Dr. S.E.

NMPGV is a 501(c)3 whose mission is to reduce firearm injury and death through education, public health, advocacy, and public awareness in order to protect the safety of our families and communities. This is the twenty-fourth gun buyback event NMPGV has held to support responsible gun ownership and keeping unwanted firearms out of the wrong hands. To date, NMPGV has facilitated and funded 24 gun buybacks and removed over 2,500 firearms out of New Mexico’s communities. Close to 40% of the guns taken in are semi-automatic firearms and assault-style weapons. 

“It takes a community coming together to help prevent gun violence,” said APD Chief of Police Harold Medina. “We hope this provides a safe outlet for people to get rid of firearms they no longer want or have use for, to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands.

“New Mexico United is proud to stand alongside and in support of the Albuquerque Police Department in making New Mexico a safer place for all of us,” said New Mexico United owner CEO Peter Trevisani.

“UNM prides itself on being conscientious and dedicated partners,” UNM Deputy Athletic Director said. “We’re proud to be co-hosts in an effort to prevent and reduce gun violence in New Mexico.”

“This project improves the safety of Albuquerque by removing unwanted guns from our community and provides an opportunity for youth to engage in creative expression and leadership on the issue of gun violence prevention,” said Miranda Viscoli Co-president of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence.

The guns a are dismantled onsite. The scrap metal is forged into gardening tools, musical instruments and art pieces by high school students from RFK Charter School through the non-profit Southwest Educational Partners and Training. (S.W.E.P.T).

The event is a safe surrender event facilitated by NMPGV and no information is retained on the participant turning in the firearms.  Participants can turn in as many firearms as they like, but they must be in working condition and unloaded. Guns should be kept in the trunks of all vehicles.  NMPGV will provide participants a cash in exchange for each firearm turned in.  The cash is provided by NMPGV and not at the expense of the Albuquerque Police Department. The amount of cash given is dependent on the firearm turned in:

∙         $250.00 for an assault weapon

∙         $200.00 for a semi-automatic handgun or semi-automatic rifle

∙         $100.00 for a long guns, revolvers and pistols

NMPGV will also be providing gunlocks to gun owners free of charge.

Once the surrender is complete and cash is issued, APD personnel will assist with conducting a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) inquiry on the surrendered firearms to ensure they are not stolen.  If a firearm is determined to be stolen, the firearm will be entered into evidence and the rightful owner contacted to retrieve their property.

Participants will be required to stay in their car and if possible, store firearm/s in the trunk of the vehicle.