El Paso County Gun Buyback Event

El Paso County has experienced an uptick in gun-related violence and deaths in recent years. The El Paso Gun Buyback Program will allow gun owners to voluntarily and anonymously surrender firearms in exchange for gift cards. This program is spearheaded by County Commissioner Jackie Butler, Precinct 1, and is presented in partnership between El Paso County, the El Paso County Attorney’s Office, and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. Funding for this program was provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Date & Time
Saturday, August 16, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
Location
Ascarate County Tax Office)
6900 Delta Dr.
El Paso, TX 79905

GIFT CARD
FUNDING

This event will be led by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, where deputies will conduct a no-questions-asked Gun Buyback Event at the Ascarate County Tax Office located at 6900 Delta Dr., El Paso, TX 79905.

Depending on the type of weapon, those turning in firearms will be rewarded with a MasterCard gift card in amounts ranging from $50.00 to $200.00 per firearm. All firearms will be retrieved with a no-questions-asked policy by law enforcement.
$50.00: Non-functioning firearms
$100.00: Shotguns or Rifles (Hunting)
$150.00: Handguns
$200.00: Assault Rifles

*Please note that the discretion will be given to the on-site firearms staff to determine the value and amount of the collected item or to reject the item.
AMMUNITON AND GHOST GUNS / PRIVATELY MADE
FIREARMS WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED.

Upon Arrival

Please follow directions and signage and stay in your vehicle at all times. All firearms must be stored inside the trunk or bed of your vehicle. Open your trunk from inside your vehicle. Firearms staff will remove the firearms and ammunition, inspect them to determine value, and direct you to the location where you may receive your gift cards. This process is completely anonymous.

Frequently Asked
Questions

For additional questions, please contact the Office of County Commissioner Jackie Butler, Precinct 1 at (915) 273-3594.
What categories as a functioning or non-functioning firearm, rifle, shotgun, handgun and fully automatic rifle?

Please see the legal definition of each firearm below.

Does the firearm need to be functioning in order to participate?

No. Non-functioning firearms will be accepted and reimbursed for $50 each.

May I turn in more than one firearm?

Yes, there is no limit on the amount of firearms.

May I have someone else drop off my firearm(s)?

Yes, however the gift card(s) will be handed over to the resident who turned in the firearm.

What type of gift card will I receive?

MasterCard

How long is my MasterCard gift card activated for?

Gift cards will be active for 12 months.

What are the firearm limits per person for the program?

There is no limit on the amount of firearms per person.

Will I need to show my ID?

No. No identification or Government ID will be needed or shown to participate.

Do I need to be an El Paso County resident to participate?

No. No ID is required, so residency will not be checked.

Does my immigration status affect my ability to participate?

No, citizenship / residency status will not be checked.

What happens if gift cards are sold out?

Give cards will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Community members interested in turning in firearms are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to ensure payment.  Once gift cards are sold out, you may still turn in your firearms but will not be receive payment. In 2023, gift cards were sold out by 11:00 am.

What happens to the firearms after they are collected?

All firearms will be properly destroyed by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. 

Will I be able to turn in my ammunition?

Yes, you will be able to participate by turning in your ammunition, however no monetary value will be given as the gift cards only apply to firearms.

Will ghost guns be accepted?

Any privately made firearms (PMF) including, but not limited to a frame or receiver, completed, assembled, or otherwise produced by a person other than a license manufacturer, and without a serial number placed by a licensed manufacturer at the time the firearm was produced, will be retrieved but will not be reimbursed. (3D Printed, Harlots, Liberators, Polymer80s).

Firearms Definitions

Handgun (Pistol)
Originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile (bullet) from one or more barrels when held in one hand, and having: a chamber(s) as an integral part(s) of, or permanently aligned with, the bore(s); and a short stock designed to be gripped by one hand at an angle to and extending below the line of the bore(s).
Rifle/Shotgun
Rifle: Designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder, and designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger. Shotgun: Designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder, and designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger.These include 'complete' rifles and shotguns (AR-15/AK-47/Remington 870/Etc...) This includes semi-automatic or fully automatic (legal definition: machine gun, if you want to place them in the same category) rifle/shotguns.
Semi-Automatic Rifle
An autoloading rifle that fires a single cartridge with each pull of the trigger and uses part of the fired cartridge's energy to eject the case and load another cartridge into the chamber from a clip or magazine with or without a bayonet lug, with fixed, collapsible, folding stock, buffer tube, or forearm brace, to include AR-15 or AK47 or AK74 pistols and similar model high caliber pistols.  Also including a machine gun (fully automatic rifle or pistol).
Other Firearms
These include items that are state and federally classified as firearms: Lighting links, drop-in auto sears (DIAS), switches (Glock/AR) (These are all regulated under the NFA and are considered machine guns, even though the device itself does not technically fire), and firearm receivers.Firearm receivers are generally serialized, these technically do not fire, but are considered firearms: AR-15 lowers/Shotgun receivers. These are from licensed manufacturers and are different from Privately Made Firearms (PMF). These are also separate from billet receivers and "80%" receivers.
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Contact
Commissioner1@epcounty.com
(915) 273-3594
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