878 guns surrendered in buyback

[stephanie]

:poke:

By Vanessa Thomas NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: 06/08/07 6:56 AM


One Buffalo woman was so afraid of the gun in her possession that she swaddled it in a baby blanket and wrapped it with mounds of duct tape.

Another elderly woman was overjoyed to finally get rid of the gun she found tucked away in her grandson’s bedroom.

These were just some of the stories behind the 422 residents who participated in the city’s gun buyback program on Saturday by surrendering firearms in exchange for cash cards. The cards ranged from $10 to $100, depending on the type of gun.

Thursday, police and city officials revealed that they are hoping to organize another gun buyback program next year because Saturday’s program was such a success.

They also announced the final audited results of Saturday’s “no questions asked” initiative. The audit by the city’s comptroller’s office revealed that residents turned in 878 guns and were paid $41,940 worth of cash cards.

“This effort exceeded our expectations and confirmed our belief that this effort would be successful in removing illegal guns from our streets,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown, who was beaming with pride as he spoke at a City Hall news conference. “We knew it would be successful but we had no idea it would be this successful.”

Police Commissioner H. Mc- Carthy Gipson praised residents for participating in the program, which involved seven churches used as gun drop-off sites.

The final count showed that the majority of guns recovered were handguns — 348 in total. There were 241 rifles, 10 assault rifles and 279 nonworking BB guns.
The buyback is being financed in part by $30,000 in assets forfeitured through seizures from drug probes and other crimes. Erie County Medical Center donated $10,000 and an anonymous donor pledged another $10,000 to the program.

Police said all of the guns will undergo ballistics tests and a computer check on the serial number to determine if any were stolen or used to commit a crime. Police said they will try to return stolen guns to their registered owners.
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/94100.html

[nevadamedic]

:poke:

By Vanessa Thomas NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: 06/08/07 6:56 AM


One Buffalo woman was so afraid of the gun in her possession that she swaddled it in a baby blanket and wrapped it with mounds of duct tape.

Another elderly woman was overjoyed to finally get rid of the gun she found tucked away in her grandson’s bedroom.

These were just some of the stories behind the 422 residents who participated in the city’s gun buyback program on Saturday by surrendering firearms in exchange for cash cards. The cards ranged from $10 to $100, depending on the type of gun.

Thursday, police and city officials revealed that they are hoping to organize another gun buyback program next year because Saturday’s program was such a success.

They also announced the final audited results of Saturday’s “no questions asked” initiative. The audit by the city’s comptroller’s office revealed that residents turned in 878 guns and were paid $41,940 worth of cash cards.

“This effort exceeded our expectations and confirmed our belief that this effort would be successful in removing illegal guns from our streets,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown, who was beaming with pride as he spoke at a City Hall news conference. “We knew it would be successful but we had no idea it would be this successful.”

Police Commissioner H. Mc- Carthy Gipson praised residents for participating in the program, which involved seven churches used as gun drop-off sites.

The final count showed that the majority of guns recovered were handguns — 348 in total. There were 241 rifles, 10 assault rifles and 279 nonworking BB guns.
The buyback is being financed in part by $30,000 in assets forfeitured through seizures from drug probes and other crimes. Erie County Medical Center donated $10,000 and an anonymous donor pledged another $10,000 to the program.

Police said all of the guns will undergo ballistics tests and a computer check on the serial number to determine if any were stolen or used to commit a crime. Police said they will try to return stolen guns to their registered owners.
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/94100.html

Well look who finally decides to show up today :laugh2:

[5stringJeff]

Look for crime to increase in Buffalo. :(

[Gaffer]

Look for crime to increase in Buffalo. :(

I was thinking the same thing.

[diuretic]

But isn't it only people who have no use and perhaps no familiarity with weapons who are handing them in? I would think that's the case. If so then they're better off without them anyway.

[stephanie]

I'm sure glad...they got those 279 nonworking BB guns off the streets...:coffee:

[5stringJeff]

But isn't it only people who have no use and perhaps no familiarity with weapons who are handing them in? I would think that's the case. If so then they're better off without them anyway.

The story certainly highlighted those people, but I can't believe that only that type of person turned in a weapon. I wouldn't even be surprised to hear of a rash of gun thefts before the turn-in, since the cops were offering cash for the guns. But in general, private citizens with guns deter crime, so if criminals know that there are now fewer guns in teh hands of their potential victims, they may become more willing to commit crimes against people, such as assault, theft, rape, etc.