Police pass out coupons for guns in Central Florida

Annual 'Kicks for Guns' program collects more than 1,000 weapons

ORLANDO, Fla. – Guns were traded for gas, food gift cards or restaurant coupons through a police program in Central Florida.

[PHOTOS:  Guns exchanged for gift cards, coupons]

Sheriff deputies and police around Central Florida hosted the 15th annual "Kicks for Guns" campaign on Thursday, netting 1,065 guns, 43 of which were illegal and nine that had been reported stolen.

The gift cards were purchased using money seized from criminals as a result of their suspected illegal activities. Last year, Palm Bay officers collected 133 firearms.

Orange County deputies said anyone who brought a gun -- no questions asked -- got a $50 gift card.

Ernest Johnson dropped off two guns and said he would be putting the gift cards to good use. 

"Now I will have extra money to feed my dogs," Johnson said.
    
Police said all the guns will be destroyed.

Kicks for Guns began 15 years ago when it was headed up by Russ Rollins of Real Radio 104.1.  For many years, owners could get a new pair of shoes in exchange for a gun.

Brevard County locations:

•Space Coast Harley Davidson at 1440 Sportsman Lane in Palm Bay

•Byrd Plaza at 801 Dixon Blvd. in Cocoa

•Searstown Mall parking lot, on the east side, at 3550 S. Washington Ave. in Titusville.

Other locations across Central Florida are also participating in the program.

Orange County:

  • Highpoint Church at 476 Ocoee Commerce Pkway
  • Dr. J.R. Smith Center, 1723 Bruton Blvd, Orlando
  • Central Florida Fairgrounds at 4603 West Colonial Drive, Orlando
  • John Bridges Center located at 445 West 13th Street, Apopka

Volusia County:

  • John H. Dickerson Center, 308 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Daytona Beach.
  • If residents can't make it out to the location, the Sheriff's Office will dispatch a deputy to pick up the weapon.

Osceola County:

  • Osceola Heritage Park at 1875 Silver Spur Lane in Kissimmee
  • Kissimmee Police Department at John Young Parkway and John Henry Jones Blvd right next to O'Berry's Collision Center.

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