Chicago Gun Buy-Back Program Nets 6,705 Weapons
Don't Kill a Life Save a Dream
Officials of the City of Chicago have been attempting to get guns off the streets of Chicago by offering a $100 pre-paid gift card for each weapon that is turned in.
People who turned in weapons were asked no questions as they surrendered their weapons. Mayor Richard Daley said there would be no questions asked of the people who dropped of dangerous weapons.
In a news conference prior to the event, Mayor Richard Daily said "One of the best crime fighting strategies at our disposal is very simple - getting guns off our streets...and out of the hands of people who, unfortunately, would misuse them." as quoted in an article by Gatehouse News Service (sj-r.com).
The third "Don't' Kill a Dream, Save a Life" programs was pronounced a huge success, with 6,705 guns and assault weapons turned in.
Families who have lost loved ones to gun violence appealed to Chicago residents to turn in guns. Families who lost a family members due to gun violence got the message out to the public. Families effectively made emotional pleas to the public, as they spoke of their tragic losses due to gun violence.
More than 20 churches and faith institutions across the city participated as drop off locations for the event.
A similar buyback program that took place in December, 2006 netted 1,500 guns. In April, 2006 3,000 guns were collected. People are encouraged to turn in their guns with no questions asked. The goal of the program is the get guns off the street to curb the murder rate.
Gun collection center were overwhelmed by the response, and ran out of the pre-paid MasterCards that were handed out as an incentive. After the cards were depleted, vouchers were handed out. The vouchers can be redeemed for Master Cards this weekend.
Weapons turned in includes guns, pistols, rifles, revolvers, rifles and assault rifles. BB Guns were turned in for a $10 incentive. All turned in weapons will be destroyed.
The City of Chicago started the gun buy-back program in order to reduce gun violence and the murder rate in Chicago.
According to CBS News (cbs2c) Mayor Daley lashed out at everyone in his path is the Illinois State Capital of Springfield Illinois on July 17. At a City Council meeting, the mayor saluted the voluntary gun turn-in program but lamented the repeated failure of gun control proposals in Springfield and Washington.
CBS, in a news report by Mike Flannery, (cbs2chicago.com) quoted Mayor Daley speaking about gun control "You'll get every cause out there if you call a rally at the federal center. You'll get every wealthy, liberal person down there talking about Iraq, but they're not talking about gun violence a mile from their home because it's in another neighborhood - usually a poor neighborhood."
Mayor Daley reportedly continued, "Where is the U.S. Senate? Spending 24 hours on Iraq and they're demanding people of Iraq don't' carry guns, but Americans can carry guns and it doesn't matter who you are or what you are, you can carry a gun."
Resources;
Chicago Sun Times Metro "6,705 Guns off of City Streets"
Chicago Tribune
CBS 2 News "Mayor Daley Lashes Out On Gun Control Issues by Mike Flannery
Gateway News News Service (sj-r.com)
Published by Christine Bude Nyholm
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- This was the third gun buy back
- 6,705 guns were turned in.
- Guns will be destroyed.
5 Comments
Post a CommentLet's see, help a criminal destroy the very evidence needed to convict him...doesn't sound like a very good idea.
Not sure this reader know what they're talking about. The folks who traditionally sell back guns at these events are rarely the people comitting the crimes. They are usually law abiding gun owners turning in a firearm that thye know know nothing about. It might be worth 10 times the $50 to $100 they get from a buy back program. National statistics show these programs have NO effect on the criminal gun on the street! The money spent on these programs would be better spent on hiring more police officers. At a minimum, the guns taken in during the buy-backs need screened and the valuable curios and relics sold to licensed dealers and the local government can add the profit to thier coffers! Maybe then a buy-back program makes sense. However, the arbitrary destruction of valuable firamrms is senseless wast of money - pure and simple!!
Hopefully no historic guns will be destroyed, all WWII guns should be sold, or given to museums.
this is a great read
Interesting. Thanks for sharing. I just wish people were more responsible with weapons.