This weekend, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department teamed up with its law enforcement and community partners to help get unwanted weapons off our streets through a Guns for Gift Cards event in the North County.

A total of 377 unwanted firearms were turned in by the public during Sunday's event at the Vista Traffic Court parking lot located in the 300 block of South Melrose Drive in Vista. 

Individuals received a $100 gift card for handguns, rifles and shotguns or a $200 gift card for assault weapons.

All weapons collected will be processed.  Any firearms coming back as being involved in a crime will be followed up on with the appropriate law enforcement agency.  If any guns are found to be stolen, the original owners will be contacted.  All remaining weapons will be destroyed in accordance with the law.

The Sheriff's Department and Vista Sheriff's Station would like to thank the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, City of Vista, Oceanside Police Department, Carlsbad Police Department and the North Coastal Prevention Coalition for their support in making this Guns for Gift Cards event a success.

Most importantly, thank you to the public for helping us keep their communities safe by getting unwanted firearms off our streets.

For more photos from today's event, follow the Sheriff's Department on Twitter and Instagram: @SDSheriff

The public can always turn in their unwanted weapons at any Sheriff's station or substation.  For your safety, keep the gun in the trunk of your car and await further instructions from a deputy.  For a list of Sheriff's patrol stations, click here.  You can also call the Sheriff's non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.