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| New Gun Buyback Nets More
Firearms than Expected |
A
gun “buyback” program sponsored by the Mayor Thomas
Menino and the Boston Police has resulted in far more guns being
turned in than program sponsors were expecting. Consequently promoters
have run out of funds to supply the incentive, a $200 Target gift
card, for those bringing in guns.
“We
will accept rifles and shotguns, but are not giving out gift cards
for them,” stated Deputy Greeley on Wednesday. “At
this rate we will run out of gift cards by end of today because
participation in the program is so strong.” |
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As
of Wednesday morning (June 14, 2006), they had collected 100 firearms
turned into police and community drop-off locations. Some of those
weapons included a Ruger .22 caliber assault rifle with 2 high
capacity clips, a .45 semi-automatic in perfect condition, a .40
caliber Sig Sauer, a 9 mm Smith & Wesson and a .25 caliber
handgun, all from young men of color in their twenties.
Ironically,
the logo for the new buyback program is the word “peace”
as viewed inside the crosshairs of a sniper’s scope, as
if someone were going to shoot the word. Program sponsors say
the program was initially called “Aim for Peace”,
which is why the word is in the scope’s crosshairs.
Boston
has been racked with violence in recent months, particularly black-on-black
violence familiar to many urban neighborhoods. Many question how
effective a program like this may actually be in stemming violence,
since those who are most apt to use a gun or feel they need a
gun for protection are not going to turn it in for a gift card.
Furthermore,
since amnesty is granted to those who bring them in, and one does
not need to prove ownership of the weapon, the police may simply
be paying for stolen merchandise. |
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