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King County Washington home

Public Health’s Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the King County Sheriff’s Office host gun buyback event for National Suicide Prevention Month

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the King County Sheriff's Office will host a gun buyback event at Shoreline Community College on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

This event provides a safe and anonymous way for King County residents to dispose of unwanted firearms, which can help reduce the risk of them being used in a crisis or falling into the wrong hands.

Nationally, firearms are the most lethal method of suicide across all ages, with death rates exceeding 90 percent. In King County, firearm suicide deaths account for 66 percent of suicide deaths so far in 2026. Presence of a firearm in the household is associated with an increased risk of suicide.

Gun buyback event information

Participants will receive gift cards in varying amounts, based on the type of firearm surrendered.

The event will be a drive-thru and participants will remain in their vehicles. They will be directed to a station for firearm intake and gift card distribution.

Volunteers will hand out mental health resources at the event.

More information

For more information about the event, visit the event webpage.

For more information about safe firearm storage and resources, visit Public Health – Seattle & King County's Lock It Up Program webpage.

Suicide prevention resources

For resources and information on suicide prevention, visit kingcounty.gov/suicide-prevention

For more information about crisis resources, visit King County's crisis resource webpage.

If you or someone you know is actively experiencing a behavioral health crisis, call the King County Regional Crisis Line at  206-461-3222  or visit www.CrisisConnections.org, or talk to a trained professional by calling or texting 988, a free and confidential resource available 24/7 in Washington state.

Quotes

"Suicide prevention, like gun violence prevention, is a shared responsibility that belongs to all of us," said Public Health – Seattle & King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention Director Eleuthera Lisch. "Access to lethal means, specifically firearms, is a critical factor in suicide risk. Our office is proud to partner with the King County Sheriff's Office to host this buyback event for Suicide Prevention Month to empower residents to take proactive steps to protect their loved ones and reduce suicide deaths in our county."

"Getting any gun off the streets is an important step in the right direction," said King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall. "We know often guns in homes and suicides go hand in hand, and we will work to do whatever we can do to decrease this. But it’s going to take all of us. This is a community issue, and we must all work together toward a solution."

"Suicidal thoughts don’t have to end in tragedy. Gun owners can take action to keep firearms out of the hands of loved ones who are struggling," said Public Health – Seattle & King County Violence & Injury Prevention Program Community Safety Manager Karyn Brownson. "Removing unwanted guns from your home and securely locking up the ones that are there are both good steps to protect family members from suicide."