The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced that more than 2,000 guns had been turned into by 5:30 p.m. Friday, under the 2011 “Kicks for Guns” campaign.
Into its thirteenth year, the campaign is aimed at getting guns out of the hands of young kids.
On Friday, citizens were able to exchange an unloaded firearm for a pair of tennis shoes or a $50.00 gift card.
With multiple sites throughout cities and counties in Central Florida, organizers reported that 2,013 guns had been turned in by 5:30 p.m. across Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Brevard, Orange and Volusia county.
Orange County alone collected 1,515 guns up to late Friday afternoon. Of the guns collected, deputies had determined that eight had been stolen.
During the campaign persons were able to turn in a gun anonymously with no questions asked.
All locations opened at 7:00 a.m. on Friday and will close at 7:00 p.m.
In 2009, there were 7 locations and 1090 firearms were collected. In 2010, 9 locations collected 1356 firearms in 12 hours. Of the firearms collected, 45 were sawed off shotguns and 7 stolen guns turned in.