VALLEJO — More than 100 firearms, including an assault rifle, were purchased as part of the second annual Solano County Gun Buyback held recently at the fairgrounds.
Instead of having artists turn the metal from the guns into art, this year inmates at the county juvenile detention center will “transform” the metal into pieces of art. Some of those juveniles were convicted of violent gun-related crimes.
A total of 115 firearms – 44 long guns, 79 handguns and the assault rifle – were exchanged for gift cards of up to $200 at the event hosted Saturday by the Robby Poblete Foundation in partnership with the Vallejo Police Department and the Eric Reyes Foundation.
“One person brought it 27 handguns and numerous rifles, walking away with $6,200 in gift cards,” Patti Navalta stated in an email.
She founded the Poblete Foundation in honor of her son, Robby Poblete, who was fatally shot in September 2014 in Vallejo. He was 23. Eric Reyes was shot and killed while sitting in a car with a friend in February 2016 at a Vallejo intersection. He was 18.
The assault rifle was described as “the same type used by SWAT teams,” Navalta stated.
The total amount in gift cards paid out was not immediately available.
Thank you: Daily Republic
