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Annual Events, Public Safety

Gun Buyback Event

A person wearing a "Firearms Instructor" shirt handles a rifle near a drop-off bin beside an open vehicle outdoors.

The Rockville City Police Department, in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, will host the fifth annual Gun Buyback Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 at RedGate Park, 14500 Avery Road.

Every gun turned in is one less firearm that could be used in a serious crime, suicide, domestic violence incident, or accidental discharge by a child. Keeping guns off community streets, out of the hands of youth, and out of schools remains a top priority. The event provides a safe, voluntary, and anonymous way to dispose of unwanted firearms.

How Gun Buybacks Work

The annual Gun Buyback Event allows community members to voluntarily turn in firearms in exchange for:

  • A $100 Visa gift card for functioning handguns, rifles, shotguns, and privately manufactured firearms (ghost guns).
  • A $200 Visa gift card for functioning assault-style weapons.

All firearms are accepted with no identification required and a no-questions-asked policy by law enforcement. RCPD has final discretion on eligible firearms for gift card issuance and may limit the number of cards per person, regardless of the number of weapons surrendered.

Event guidelines:

  • Participants must remain in their vehicles at all times.
  • Firearms must be unloaded and transported in the trunk.
  • No ammunition in guns is permitted.
  • No walk-ups are permitted.
  • Only functional firearms qualify for a gift card.
  • Non-functioning firearms will be accepted without compensation.
  • Gift cards are limited and subject to availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

A non-functioning (unserviceable) firearm is one that cannot discharge a shot through an explosive action and cannot be readily restored to a working condition.

  • Rifle: A firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a long, spirally grooved barrel.
  • Shotgun: A long-barreled firearm that fires a straight-walled cartridge known as a shotshell, discharging either multiple small pellets (shot) or a single projectile (slug).
  • Handgun: A firearm designed to be held and operated with one hand, including revolvers and pistols.
  • Fully automatic firearm: An auto-loading firearm that continuously chambers and fires rounds as long as the trigger is held down.

Yes. To receive a $100 or $200 Visa gift card, the firearm must be in working condition. Firearms will be checked on-site. Non-functioning firearms may be turned in but are not eligible for a gift card.

Yes, but RCPD reserves the right to limit the number of gift cards issued per person, regardless of the number of firearms surrendered.

Yes, but the gift card will be given to the person who turns in the firearm.

Each gift card is valid for 12 months.

No ID or government-issued identification is required to participate.

No, residency will not be checked.

No, immigration status does not impact participation in the Gun Buyback Event.

All firearms will be destroyed.

Yes, ammunition can be turned in at the event or anytime to the Police Department. However, gift cards are only issued for firearms, not ammunition.

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Contact

Maj. Bill Nieberding
Police Department
Field Services Bureau
240-314-8965
bnieberding@rockvillemd.gov

Hours
Monday – Friday
3 – 11 p.m.

Address
Rockville City Police Station
2 W. Montgomery Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850