2,500 Guns Incinerated, Sheriff’s Office Says

Wondering what happened to all those guns the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office bought from residents back in February? Here’s the answer:

“The nation's largest single day gun swap came to a fiery finish at a steel mill, where the rifles, shotguns, and handguns were incinerated in a 3,200-degree furnace,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a media release. “The melted metal that was once weapons will become rebar and coat hangers.”

February’s Operation Gun Swap drew residents from all over the county who wanted to trade in their unwanted firearms for vouchers worth $75 each. All told, the sheriff’s office paid out more than $200,000 for the guns. Funding came from the Shimberg Foundation and the sheriff’s office forfeiture fund, said Capt. Chad Chronister in a previous interview.

What do you think about gun buy-backs, Bloomingdale-Riveview? Do you think they provide a service to residents? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

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