Another city, another buyback event.
The Metro Nashville Police Department announced this week that it will give anyone who turns in a weapon a $50 MAPCO convenience store gift card and a $25 Kroger retail store gift card.
The goal of the buyback program is, as always, to reduce gun violence in the area.
During a joint presser with local clergy, Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson talked about gun crime across the United States and specifically in Nashville. So far this year, eight teenagers have died in gun-related incidents in the Tennessee capital, and almost 200 have been charged with weapons violations.
Chief Anderson assured those who plan on turning in a firearm that they will not be penalized.
“We’re not taking names, we’re simply asking if you have a firearm at home that you do not want in your house, or you want to keep it out of the hands of a juvenile, please bring it to this church,” Anderson said.
The event begins Saturday, November 4th at 9 a.m. at the Greater Revelations Church.
The effectiveness of buyback programs is still hotly debated. Critics believe they do little to actually get illegal firearms off the street and out of the hands of true criminals. Often times, legally-owned guns are turned in by owners who are simply looking to make some quick money. In fact, York, PA’s recent buyback program only resulted in the return of a whopping 36 guns.
Regardless of their success, these programs remain a popular tactic across the country.
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