Federal Way Police Department hosted a gun buyback Aug. 16, resulting in 70 firearms being given to the department and over $9,000 in grant money being paid out by the department.
According to Cmdr. Kyle Buchanan, the department received a lot of positive feedback, with many participants expressing gratitude for the event taking place. Buchanan said that the department paid out $9,875, which was funded by a state grant.
Firearms received by the department:
• 21 rifles
• 18 handguns
• 17 shotguns
• 6 revolvers
• 1 muzzle loader
• 1 inoperable gun
• 6 AR/Carbine
This event was funded by a grant from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office that provided money to reduce gun crimes in the community. Buchanan said they have money still left over from the grant, so now the department is awaiting approval from the Attorney General’s Office to purchase more gun safes to give away to the community. The department hosted a gun safe giveaway on June 7, also using funds from the state’s grant.
The purpose of the event was to enhance household safety by reducing opportunities for firearm-related casualties in the home. Buchanan said that the risk of gun-related accidents, suicide and serious domestic violence injuries may be reduced through participation in this event. Additionally, taking back unwanted guns keeps guns out of nefarious hands.
“Non-permissioned access to guns by minors leads to tragedy. Many guns used in dangerous crimes were stolen from law-abiding people,” Buchanan said. “Reducing the number of unwanted guns in circulation reduces opportunities for firearm tragedies and gun crimes.”
The event’s funds come from a settlement between the Attorney General’s office and a Federal Way gun retailer that violated state law.
On Feb. 6, 2025, Federal Way Discount Guns and its owner, Mohammed Baghai, were ordered to pay $3 million for violating Washington’s prohibition on selling high-capacity magazines with the capacity to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Funds from this fine also went toward the city’s gun lockbox giveaway this past June.
Reporting from a previous Federal Way Mirror was used.
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