Winston-Salem will host a second gun buyback event

After hosting a successful gun buyback event in November, the city of Winston-Salem is holding a second event this Saturday. 

The city-wide gun buyback programs are part of an effort to reduce gun violence and boost community safety. Residents can anonymously turn in firearms with no questions asked and receive cash payments between $100 and $200.

According to a news release, funding comes from a portion of the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Relief Fund, which authorizes recipients to spend some of the money on efforts to reduce violence.

Winston-Salem has experienced a significant rise in homicides, which police say jumped by about 50 percent last year compared to 2020.

Officials deemed the first buyback event an overwhelming success, with over 360 guns collected within two hours.

Northeast Ward Councilmember Barbara Hanes Burke says she requested the second buyback based on that success.

The drive-thru gun buyback event will take place this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds.