31 firearms, seven BB guns and crossbow collected during ‘Done with a Gun’ event on Jan. 22

None of items turned in to Sarasota Police Department had been reported stolen or used in a crime, agency says

This is a sample of the weapons turned in during the event. Image courtesy Sarasota Police Department

The Sarasota Police Department collected 31 firearms, seven BB guns, a crossbow, and various types of ammunition during the Done with a Gun turn-in event held on Saturday, Jan. 22, the agency has reported.

Two drop-off locations were used, a news release notes: the Sarasota Police Headquarters on Adams Lane in downtown Sarasota and the Sarasota Police Substation in Newtown.

“We consider Saturday’s Done with the Gun turn-in event a huge success,” said Sarasota Police Interim Chief Rex Troche in the release. “More than 30 firearms will be disposed of properly and stay out of the hands of children and possible criminals. Our community came forward to responsibly dispose of firearms and ammunition, thereby eliminating the risk of theft, misuse, or accidental discharge,” he added in the release. “This is another way we’re committed to keeping the City of Sarasota a safe place to live, work, and play,” Troche said.

Among the firearms turned in were an AK-47, semi-automatic shotgun, a Desert Eagle with two magazines of ammunition, and four boxes of 22 long rifle ammunition, the release adds.

“All firearms and ammunition collected will be destroyed by a certified vendor” that specializes in such work, the release notes.

Moreover, each of the firearms collected was run through a law enforcement database to ensure that it not been reported stolen or used in a crime, the release points out; none had been.

If residents were unable to attend Saturday’s Done with the Gun turn-in event, the release says, the Sarasota Police Department will accept unwanted firearms year-round. Any residents who have unwanted firearms or ammunition may call the Sarasota Police Department Property Unit at 941-263-6040 to arrange an appointment, the release notes.

Additional information can be found at http://www.sarasotapd.org/crime-prevention/done-with-the-gun.