Oahu residents turned in 367 firearms Saturday in exchange for nearly $38,000 in Foodland gift cards at a gun buyback event held by the state Department of Law Enforcement.

What You Need To Know

  • The amnesty event was part of ongoing efforts by Gov. Josh Green to address gun violence in the state. Partnering with DLE were the state Department of the Attorney General, Honolulu Police Department and the Aloha Stadium Authority
  • Individuals who turned in automatic firearms of any type, semi-automatic rifles or ghost guns were given a $200 Foodland gift card. Those who exchanged handguns, rifles, bump stocks or Glock switches received a $100 card
  • In keeping with the initiative’s amnesty provisions, those exchanging firearms were not required to provide identification and no questions were asked about their background
  • DLE deputy director Jared Redulla said future buyback events are being planned for the neighbor islands

“We are working to make our community safer in many ways, including initiatives like this gun buyback program,” said DLE director Mike Lambert in a release. “These unwanted guns will never again be used. They will never again pose any type of threat to a loved one or have an opportunity to be used in a crime.”

The amnesty event was part of ongoing efforts by Gov. Josh Green to address gun violence in the state. Partnering with DLE were the state Department of the Attorney General, Honolulu Police Department and the Aloha Stadium Authority.

Individuals who turned in automatic firearms of any type, semi-automatic rifles or ghost guns were given a $200 Foodland gift card. Those who exchanged handguns, rifles, bump stocks or Glock switches received a $100 card.

While there was no restriction on the quantity of firearms submitted, each person could only receive a maximum of three gift cards. Both working and non-working firearms were accepted. Licensed gun dealers and active or retired law enforcement officers were not eligible to participate.

In keeping with the initiative’s amnesty provisions, those exchanging firearms were not required to provide identification, and no questions were asked about their background.

DLE provided gun locks for individuals who did not wish to turn in a gun but wanted to more safely store their firearms.

DLE deputy director Jared Redulla said future buyback events are being planned for the neighbor islands.

“Neighbor island police officers attended today’s event and were also present during previous events,” Redulla said. “The neighbor island officers are observing to learn the various tasks associated with the gun buyback program so that events can be run on the neighbor islands in the future.”

The last buyback event in August 2024 yielded 514 firearms.

“I want to thank everyone who turned in an unwanted firearm today, because in doing so, you have helped to make our community that much safer,” said Green. “Keeping ourselves and each other safe and healthy is a personal choice that also benefits our neighbors. We thank DLE Director Mike Lambert for continuing this effort and for our partners’ help in this ongoing gun buyback program.”

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.