Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee recently honored the Fullerton Police Department for its significant role in the county’s gun buyback initiative during a city council meeting. The recognition follows the county’s latest buyback event, held on September 27, 2026, and hosted by the Buena Park Police Department.

As chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors representing the 4th District, which includes Fullerton, Chaffee detailed that the program has removed 1,294 firearms from Orange County streets over four buyback events, including 99 assault weapons. “These have now been safely removed from our communities and are no longer out there threatening people,” he stated.

The gun buyback events, which have involved seven different police departments, are designed to safely collect and destroy unwanted firearms. Chaffee emphasized the need for trained personnel to handle and secure the weapons, saying, “We need people who know how to handle guns.”

Fullerton police have participated in all four buybacks, demonstrating effective coordination among police agencies that bodes well for future mutual aid situations. Alongside firearm collection, the events also provide free gun locks to residents, promoting firearm safety even for those who do not turn in weapons. Chaffee recounted a tragic incident from the past year in which a child found a loaded gun left unsecured, underscoring the critical need for responsible firearm storage.

The program serves as a resource for residents looking to dispose of unwanted firearms safely, particularly benefiting individuals such as widows who inherit firearms. Chaffee noted a poignant example from a previous event, where a widow surrendered nine weapons.

At the meeting, Chaffee recognized the Fullerton Police Department and specifically acknowledged four officers—Christian Koenig, Cpl. Joshua Maynes, Cpl. Anthony Vega, and Sgt. Jeffrey Mayden—who contributed to the success of the September event. While not all officers were present, Chaffee expressed confidence that the police chief would ensure each received a plaque.

“Thank you for participating in this gun buyback,” Chaffee concluded. “It’s made the city safer.”