Couldn't help but think of you when I heard this on the radio. A religious group organized a buyback just in time for Christmas with grocery store gift cards. $100 for any gun in working order. $200 for an assault rifle. No questions asked. 168 weapons will be destroyed. One guy turned in an Uzi! Several people refused the cards. Several more turned in weapons after the gift cards ran out.
It was the third year that the United African-American Ministerial Action Council of San Diego has sponsored the event aimed at curbing gun violence.
The event began two years ago after two teenagers were fatally shot by gang members.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/20/people-line-turn-guns-cops/
I still don't understand why pro-gun folks object to these things.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
Sounds like a buying opportunity. I'd stand outside and offer $20 more than the "buy-back" will pay for anything good. With any luck, I'd get another 2or 3 eeeeeevil black rifles!
ReplyDeleteFools.
Molon Labe.
The SDPD spokesman went out of his way to emphasize that the department supports the second amendment right to own guns and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But he did roll out the tired old canard, "If we can prevent one gun being used in a crime..."
ReplyDeleteThese things are mainly for people to get rid of guns that they don't need so that hopefully no teenager or burglar can get their hands on a gun. Still, there is a certain beauty in seeing them go to the scrap heap. There is a famous old B&W photo of one of the first gun buybacks in Chicago. I just love it. The tough as nails police chief. The cardboard box full of revolvers.
I don't get the destroying thing. As long as guns are a legal product, they'll make more. And you think the NRA pumps up the firearm industry.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing against them, other than the fact that the guns are frequently destroyed. Thus, it's a great way to dispose of a crime gun, or even a lawful gun owner's stolen property.
ReplyDeleteI also have to caveat my previous statement, because I'm against them if public funds are being used for the buyback part. As pretty much all they do is get rid of crime guns, stolen weapons, and granny's deceased husband's shotgun from the back of the closet, I don't think they do squat to affect the crime rate. Therefore, I don't want my tax dollars going to such a wasted effort.
"There is a famous old B&W photo of one of the first gun buybacks in Chicago. I just love it. The tough as nails police chief. The cardboard box full of revolvers."
ReplyDeleteAnd it did so much to curb crime in Chicago.
I like these programs for the reasons Flying Junior mentioned. I always picture a young boy being raise by his grandma. As the kid gets older she wants to get rid of the gun that's been in the closet for decades. Lives are saved. It's worth whatever public expense is involved.
ReplyDeleteMike: “It's worth whatever public expense is involved.”
ReplyDeleteAuction the turned in guns through FFLs and the NICS to fund the next “buy back”. Then use that public expense for our schools and social programs to keep kids out of gangs. Doesn’t that sound better? Plus you wouldn’t be feeding the firearms industry to replace the guns that were melted, and it is better for the environment. Win, win, win, win- everybody wins!
Sorry TS, that would only be a win-win if we initiated some of the other much-needed reforms. Otherwise we'd have the same old problem with the same guns instead of new ones.
ReplyDelete