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1. How will I receive payment for my weapons?

All payments will be in cash.

2. Can I turn in my BB gun and still get paid?

No. Pellet guns, BB guns, starter pistols, black-powder guns, replica toy guns will be accepted, but without compensation.

3. What will the process to turn in my weapon look like?

1. Place the unloaded gun inside your trunk, truck bed, or cargo area before leaving your home. 
2. Follow the signs and enter the city leaf lot at 2885 Shorefair Drive, across from Gate 7 of the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. 
3. When you reach the buyback area, tell the officers what type of gun you have in the trunk. 
4. Stay in your vehicle at all times. Officers will remove the gun. (If you cannot remotely open the trunk or rear hatch from the driver’s seat, you will hand the officer the key.)
5. Accept a receipt for weapons collected.
6. Move to the next stop where a staff member will accept your receipt and pay you cash for the weapons collected.

4. Do I have to identify myself?

No. Turning in your weapon is 100% anonymous.

5. How much money has been allocated for this program?

The city has allocated $50,000 for the buyback program.

6. How is the gun buyback funded?

The program is funded with money provided to the city as part of the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Relief Fund approved by Congress earlier this year. The bill recognizes that one by-product of the pandemic has been an increase in violence and authorizes recipients to spend some of the money on efforts to reduce violence.

7. Do you really expect criminals will come sell their guns?

We hope so! However, we recognize that it may not be realistic to expect active criminals will come sell their guns in a gun buyback, but some families and individuals occasionally decide they no longer want a firearm in their home. This program provides an opportunity to get rid of it in exchange for cash. Guns are big targets for burglars, and if a gun is not adequately secured in the home, it can fall into the wrong hands. Also, this program is a voluntary way for gun owners to exercise their right to sell their guns.

8. What will happen to the guns collected?

All weapons will be destroyed in accordance with state law. Weapons will also be checked to ensure they were not reported stolen. If they were reported stolen, the Police will try to return the weapon to its rightful owner.

9. I want to remove a gun from my home, but don’t want to receive payment for it. May I bring it to the gun buyback?

Yes, you may bring the gun to the buyback and decline payment for it.

10. Is there a limit on the number of guns I can sell?

There are no limits to the number of guns that can be sold per individual as long as buyback money is available. After the buyback program’s budget is spent, guns may still be surrendered without payment.