Held in Garden Grove in collaboration with the Garden Grove Police Department and several local law enforcement agencies the event removed a total of 298 firearms including 23 assault weapons from OC Neighborhoods
ORANGE COUNTY, CA (November 12, 2025) – Orange County Board of Supervisors Chair Doug Chaffee, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento announced the results of the successful Anonymous Gun Buyback event held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Garden Grove. Held in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, led by the Garden Grove Police Department the vent was open to all OC residents.
This drive-up event allowed residents to voluntarily turn in unwanted guns and ammunition anonymously – no questions asked.
A total of 298 firearms, including 23 assault weapons, were voluntarily dropped off by the public. In addition, 122 gun locks were distributed through the OC Free Gun Lock program. Including the results from the previous two-gun buybacks held, 1055 firearms including 76 assault weapons have been collected overall. This gun buyback event in Orange County demonstrated an unprecedented level of collective action to promote community safety.
“Every firearm turned in is one less chance for a tragedy to occur in our neighborhoods”, said Chair Doug Chaffee. “I’m proud of the continued partnership between law enforcement, community organizations, and residents who share our commitment to keeping Orange County safe. The success of this program demonstrates that when we come together, we can make meaningful progress toward reducing gun violence and building safer, stronger communities for everyone.”
In 2024, Orange County had a total of 149 gun-related deaths in 2024, 39 from homicide, 107 from suicide. Orange County and its partners at the event recognize the critical importance of gun violence prevention and promotes the practice of safe firearm storage.
“I want to thank Chairman Chaffee and all the local police departments who worked so hard for this event, including our host city Garden Grove PD,” said Supervisor Nguyen. “This is an opportunity for residents to turn in guns safely that they don’t want anymore.”
“This event was an innovative approach that respects the rights of our community members and brings residents and law enforcement together to create safer communities,” added Supervisor Sarmiento. “I was very happy that we were able to pool the resources from three of our districts to build on the success of last year’s gun buyback and provide this important opportunity for residents to voluntarily take gun safety into their own hands!”
Participants received gift cards in exchange for the type of firearm surrendered, including $100 for operable handguns, shotguns, ghost guns, and rifles and $300 for operable assault weapons. There was also an opportunity for residents to receive a free gun lock, as a part of the OC Free Gun Lock program. The event provided a safe, anonymous way to dispose of unwanted guns while, ensuring the secure storage of all firearms that residents choose to keep.
“This event is a powerful example of the community and law enforcement coming together,” said Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein.
After the guns have been collected, cataloged and examined by forensic science experts, they will be melted down.
Chair Doug Chaffee, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento want to thank the Garden Grove Police Department, Buena Park Police Department, Fullerton Police Department, Placentia Police Department, Orange Police Department, Westminster Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department, and Fountain Valley Police Department who provided staffing and supported the Gun Buyback.
