O‘ahu's recent gun buyback program resulted in the collection of 367 firearms, with residents receiving a total of $37,900 in Foodland gift cards. The initiative, aimed at reducing gun violence, was part of a collaborative effort involving the Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement (DLE), the administration of Governor Josh Green, M.D., the Department of the Attorney General, the Honolulu Police Department, and the Aloha Stadium Authority.
Governor Josh Green expressed his gratitude to participants, stating, "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. 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.”
Mike Lambert, Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, echoed the commitment to community safety, saying, “We are working to make our community safer in many ways, including initiatives like this gun buyback program. 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.”
To encourage more residents to participate, there was no cap on the number of firearms turned in, though individuals could receive a maximum of three gift cards. DLE accepted both functional and non-functional firearms and provided gun locks for those wishing to secure their weapons rather than surrender them. Licensed gun dealers and law enforcement officers, whether active or retired, were not eligible to take part.
Jared Redulla, DLE Deputy Director, indicated plans for future buyback events on neighboring islands. "Neighbor island police officers attended today’s event and were also present during previous events," he 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.” Further details on upcoming events will be released as they are organized.
The DLE acknowledged the 2024 Legislature for the funding provided in the fiscal year 2025 budget, enabling the successful execution of this buyback program.