Seattle's first gun buyback event in more than two decades will take place this Saturday, January 26, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Republic parking lot underneath I-5, between James and Cherry. Participants will receive gift cards up to $100 for a handgun, shotgun, or rifle, up to $200 for an assault weapon, no questions asked. Additional cards of between $10 and $25 will also be issued for accompanying high-capacity ammunition magazines. Please read the Seattle Police Foundation FAQ for details, including this very important instruction:

Please consider that every firearm is loaded and do not attempt to unload the firearm if you are not familiar with the weapon. If you ARE familiar with the weapon, please unload and secure the weapon in the trunk of the vehicle or in a locked container prior to transport. Upon arrival at the gun buyback location, you will be advised to leave the firearm in your vehicle until contacted by a uniformed Seattle Police Officer.

It's a great opportunity to unload an unwanted weapon, whether it's unloaded or not.

In related news, Mayor McGinn's office announced today that Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll's A Better Seattle program has contributed $10,000 to the Seattle-King County Gun Safety Initiative. That brings total contributions to over $118,000.

“We are committed to reducing youth violence in our community and proudly join this larger collection of corporations, private citizens and community organizations who have come together to provide the financial support to make the gun buyback program a reality,” Carroll said in a press release.