FCPD will pick up unwanted firearms

With the surge in mass shootings this year, it’s a good time to remind the public about the Fairfax County Police Department’s efforts to encourage the safe disposal of unwanted firearms.

There have been 39 mass shootings in the U.S. in the first three weeks of 2023, CNN reports. There were 647 mass shootings in 2022 and 690 in 2021, up from 273 in 2014. Firearm injuries are now the leading cause of death among people younger than 24 in the U.S.,

There are 393 million privately owned firearms in the U.S., which comes to 120 guns for every 100 Americans.

If local residents have firearms or ammunition they want to get rid of – or discover guns while clearing out an elderly relative’s home – the best course of action is to call the police department’s non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, and request an officer come to your home. 

The officer will verify the weapon is unloaded and make sure it is safe before taking possession of it.

The less-preferred method to dispose of firearms is to bring them to one of the eight police stations in Fairfax County.

The FCPD urges the public not to bring any weapons into the police station.

Instead, the police department says people should call the police before arriving and make sure the weapon is unloaded. The firearm should be placed in a vehicle trunk separate from any ammunition.

Upon arrival, leave the weapon and ammunition in the car. After reporting to the front desk, an officer will come out and collect them.

The police advise treating every weapon as if it is loaded. Keep it pointed in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.

It’s critical to get rid of firearms, to keep them out of the hands of children.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, there were 2,070 unintentional shootings by children under 18 in the U.S. during 2015-20, resulting in 765 deaths.