AGENDA ITEM #12
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
STAFF REPORT
May 4, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Heather Abrams, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Approve concept of $2,000 donation to Marin Countywide gun buyback effort
RECOMMENDATION
Approve concept of $2,000 donation to gun buyback effort to be paid to the City of San Rafael for Marin Countywide gun buyback effort.
BACKGROUND
For many years, Fairfax has participated in and publicized the Marin Countywide Gun Buyback Program. In the past, Fairfax Police Department has worked with Marin District Attorney’s Office to schedule and promote the event and Fairfax Police Department continues to support the effort. This is the first year that cities and towns have been asked to contribute funds, although fundraising for the event has been conducted previously.
DISCUSSION
This year’s Gun Buyback Program is co-organized by Marin County DA’s office, Marin County Sheriff, San Rafael Police Department and San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin and Fairfax Mayor Stephanie Hellman. The event serves all of Marin County and will be held on June 4, 2022, 9:00 AM – 1pm outside the Marin County Sheriff's office.
The funds requested are a donation and are not directly connected to the number of guns typically bought back from Fairfax residents.
FISCAL IMPACT
The additional $2,000 would be approved by the Council as part of the budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Fundraising Blurb
B. Program Description
Gun Buy Back
Fundraising blurb for newsletters, etc.
Marin County Gun Buy Back event – June 4, 2022
Help reduce the risk of suicide, accidental discharge, domestic violence and guns getting into the wrong hands.
It is a terrible reality that guns continue to proliferate in Marin County and can be used in homicides, crimes and suicide. The 2020 Marin County Civil Grand Jury estimated that there are 100,000 firearms in Marin homes and vehicles. As a community, we want to do all that we can to provide the opportunity to remove unwanted guns from our homes. One of those actions is a Gun Buy Back event which is being co-organized by Marin County DA’s office, Marin County Sheriff, San Rafael Police Department and San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin and Fairfax Mayor Stephanie Hellman. The event serves all of Marin County and will be held on June 4, 2022, 9:00 AM – 1pm outside the Marin County Sheriff's office.
Gun Buy Back events work by enabling participants to bring in functional firearms and receive cash in exchange. The funding that supports the event comes from government, business, education, foundations, hospitals and individuals.
We ask that you consider donating to the Gun Buy Back Fund and helping us to make our community even safer. The City of San Rafael is managing the fund and to participate, please send checks to: City of San Rafael, 1400 Fifth Street, Attn: Finance Rm 204, San Rafael 94901. Specify that the donation is for “Gun Buy Back”. Yes, donations are tax deductible (City EIN number is 94-6000424) and we are hopeful that with the participation of many people in our community, we will raise enough funds to have a successful event.
Questions? Call 415 485-3070 or email Mayor Kate Colin at [email protected]
ATTACHMENT A
Marin County Gun Buy Back event – June 4, 2022
Help reduce the risk of suicide, accidental discharge, domestic violence and guns getting into the wrong hands.
Background: It is a terrible reality that guns continue to proliferate in Marin County* and can be used in homicides, crimes and suicide. As a community, we want to do all that we can to provide the opportunity to remove unwanted guns from our homes. One of those actions is a Gun Buy Back event which is being co-organized by Marin County DA’s office, Marin County Sheriff, San Rafael PD and SR Mayor Kate Colin and Fairfax Mayor Stephanie Hellman. Gun buyback events were held in Marin in 2013 and 2016 although there have been more recent events held in San Francisco. * The 2020 Marin County Civil Grand Jury estimated that there are 100,000 firearms in Marin homes and vehicles. That figure predates the record number of new gun purchases made nationwide in 2020, a 60% increase over 2019 based on background checks.
Event Details: June 4, 2022, 9:00 AM – 1pm; Marin County Sheriff's office 1600 Los Gamos, San Rafael Exchange Details: $100 for handguns, rifles, shotguns; $200 for assault weapons. Firearms must be functional. Limit 3 firearms per person. Drive-up only, firearm unloaded in trunk. Boxed ammunition will also be accepted for disposal. Buy Back will only be for the firearms and not ammunition. Exchange would be for cash.
Fundraising: In 2013, $111k was raised to support the event and key Donors included local Government and Law Enforcement ($24k) Marin Community Foundation ($30k), MCF private trusts ($32.9k) and General Public ($24k).
In 2016 the funds ran out and vouchers were issued so in 2022, the goal is to get more firearms turned in without the concern of running out of funds. The 2022 goal is $122k. Target goals currently are Government/Law Enforcement ($45k), Foundation/private trusts ($25k), Hospitals ($12k), Individuals/Public ($25k) and local Business and Rotaries ($15k). Any unused funds would be held and utilized at future BuyBack events.
Mayor Kate has gathered a Leadership Team to help with the fundraising and outreach and welcomes any additional volunteers in these efforts. This group is utilizing a multiple-prong strategy to fundraising: 1) 2016 Foundation Donors, 2) Local Law Enforcement, 3) Cities/County, 4) Hospitals, 5) Schools and 6) Greater public. The Leadership Team has already reached out to state officials but unfortunately Governor Newsom’s recently announced Public Safety Plan will not be approved/funded until after the Buy Back.
The City of San Rafael will be the receiver and distributor of the funds. The City EIN number is 94-6000424 and donations should also specify “Gun BuyBack”. Address to: City of San Rafael, 1400 Fifth Street, Attn: Finance rm 204, San Rafael 94901.
Outreach: Primary messaging will be about the event date, location and buy back amounts. The main focus will be on getting this messaging out to the community working in partnership with community-based organizations and local government. Participating entities will have their logo added to the flyer and name on all outreach materials if they so choose.
ATTACHMENT B