Hundreds of people waited in line for nearly two hours Saturday to turn in handguns, rifles, ammunition and high-capacity magazines at Ceasefire Oregon's 19th annual gun turn-in.



Organizers said nearly 485 firearms, including four assault weapons, were collected during the four-hour event at Lynwood Friends Church in Southeast Portland.



"Given the recent events at Clackamas Town Center, Newtown, Connecticut, and elsewhere, people are obviously thinking twice about having weapons in their homes," said Penny Okamoto, Ceasefire Oregon's executive director. "The huge turnout we had today is clear evidence of that."



The number of weapons turned in was the highest since 2001, when 504 guns were turned in. Nearly 8,290 guns have been turned in since the annual event began in 1994.



Participants who turned in working guns received gift certificates from Safeway or Fred Meyer. Handguns merited a $100 gift certificate, with rifles and shotguns getting $75, assault weapons $150, magazines with 50-round capacities or more $25 and pellet and BB guns $10.



Sponsoring partners of the gun turn-in included the City of Portland, Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County and the Rosewood Initiative.



– Dana Tims



