Crime & Safety

More Than 1,000 Guns Taken Off Tampa's Streets

A Tampa Police Department gun buyback Saturday at Seminole Heights Baptist Church yielded more than 1,000 guns.

The Tampa Police Department is hailing Saturday's gun buyback as a huge success, with more than 1,000 guns taken off the streets.

Dozens of citizens were lined up at waiting to turn in their guns before the event started at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, the department reported. A steady stream of citizens showed up throughout the day until the program ended at 5 p.m.

TPD paid $50 for each handgun and rifle turned in Saturday, no questions asked, and the weapons will be destroyed.

Find out what's happening in Seminole Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Kelly Curtis, the widow of slain Tampa Police officer Dave Curtis, funded the event along, with seized drug money.

The department's goal was to bring in 500 guns. The final count will be
complete next week.

Find out what's happening in Seminole Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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