Department: Sheriff
Department Head/Elected Official: Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Financial Authorization
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable):N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Sheriff's Office for approval of $1,096,000 for the HCSO and/or partnering Commissioner Precincts to host up to eight gun buyback events allowing gun owners to surrender personal firearms in exchange for gift cards, funded by the FLEX Fund (1040).
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Background and Discussion:
Gun buyback events allow gun owners to voluntarily and safely surrender personal firearms to Harris County Sheriff's Office personnel (and/or personnel from participating municipal law enforcement agencies), in exchange for gift cards. The program goals are to take unwanted firearms out of the community, thus reducing the potential for them to cycle through illegal networks or end up as potential hazards in the home.
Expected Impact:
Gun buyback efforts are expected to lower gun violence by reducing the number of guns in civilian hands. Jurisdictions hosting similar programs have collected between 560 to more than 800 firearms per event. A budget of $1,096,000 would provide gift cards for up to 4,000 participants.
Alternative Options:
If Commissioners Court chooses not to approve this program, HCSO and participating precincts will not be able to host the gun buyback events.
Alignment with Goal(s):
x_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_x Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
Date
Agenda Item #
Action Taken
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
Fiscal and Personnel Summary
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