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Everett Police Department to host ‘guns for gift cards’ exchange

The city of Everett announced Wednesday that the police department will host its first “guns for gift cards” exchange, allowing residents to turn in their firearms for prepaid Visa gift cards.

The exchange will take place Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Everett Police South Precinct at 1121 Southeast Everett Mall Way in Everett from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The first two hours of the event are reserved for Everett residents only, while all Snohomish County residents can participate from noon until 2 p.m.

Gun owners must leave all guns unloaded, with the safety on, and secured in a trunk or locked area of a truck bed. Officers will open the trunk with the owner’s permission and remove the guns.

Proof of residency in Everett or Snohomish County is needed to be eligible for a gift card.

The event is similar to one held by Kirkland police over the summer and in October. Police said events hosted in June and July brought in more than 150 guns, adding up to over $18,000 in gift cards exchanged.