(NewsNation) — NBA legend and TNT Sports analyst Shaquille O’Neal is helping to sponsor a gun buyback program Saturday in Dallas, per the county sheriff’s office.
“This is an opportunity for law enforcement to educate and equip community members with the tools to properly dispose of unwanted firearms,” Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown said in a statement to NBC 5 in Dallas. “Too many deaths have occurred from firearms lying around and they end up in the hands of the vulnerable population.”
The event, which takes place between 9 a.m. and noon local time at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Training Academy, will allow handgun owners to receive a $100 gift card for each firearm traded in (limit three). Those who own long guns will be given $125 per weapon.
“I support Sheriff Brown’s initiatives,” O’Neal said. “Sheriff is doing the right thing and keeping our communities safe.”
O’Neal, who was raised south of Dallas in San Antonio, Texas, has long been passionate about law enforcement, having served as a reserve police officer in Los Angeles while playing with the Lakers and in Miami Beach during his time with the Heat. After his playing career was over, he held the same reserve role in Doral, Florida, and was sworn in as a sheriff’s deputy in Clayton County, Georgia.
