The Gun ‘BuyBack’ Briarpatch

Ammoland ^ | 28 December, 2015 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-N.J.-10), has recently reintroduced “The Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act” (pdf).

It is the same bill as one that was filed last year.  I have written about the bill, HR-4278.   It makes no economic sense, for the Nation as a whole, and it will not reduce crime one iota.

It has little chance of passing.   But on close examination of what the bill actually does, it is a  “briar patch” that  Second Amendment Supporters might not mind being thrown in.  We are far past the point where there is any sense or connection between the money raised for the Republic by taxes, and what is actually spent.  From congress.gov:

(a) In general.-In conducting the grant program authorized under section 101, the Director may reserve such funds as may be necessary to acquire and distribute smart prepaid cards to eligible entities that receive grants under this title. The Director shall distribute the smart prepaid cards without any funds loaded onto the cards.

(b) Market value of guns.-The Director shall determine the market value of each gun that the Director determines should be included in the gun buyback program and make such information publicly available.

For those who do not understand the cultural reference, the 'briar patch' was where Br'er Rabbit begged Br’er Fox not to throw him, because that is where he wanted to end up.

The bill would allocate over a billion dollars, spread over three years,  to be spent on buying firearms at 125% of 'market value'.  That sounds as though a lot of money would go to gun manufacturers, gun shops, and Second Amendment Supporters.

[marktwain]

I do not support this program, but the Democrats can make stupid mistakes very easily.

[Sasparilla]

... It makes no economic sense, for the Nation as a whole, and it will not reduce crime one iota....

So, what makes this any different from any other liberal Democrat idea?

[CA_soon_gone]

Imagine how this might work. Suppose the market price of a used 10/22 is $100. Now the gov’t is willing to give you $125 for yours so if Joe down the street wants to buy it he’ll have to come up with say $120 or you’re selling to Uncle Sam. Before long the market price is $120 so now you can get $150 from Sam. Repeat this a few times and that $100 rifle is now worth $1M.

[Sooth2222]

"The bill would allocate over a billion dollars, spread over three years, to be spent on buying firearms at 125% of 'market value'."

I hate cleaning guns, so on my way back from the range I could just stop by the police station and sell it to the gov't for 125% of what I paid, then stop by my local gun store, buy a new one and pocket a 25% profit!

Sounds like a great idea!

(Except, of course, that with $333 million allocated annually with a supply of 350 million guns -- this offer would sell out in the first few minutes.)

The scheme is proof positive why Democrat politicians need graft, theft and corruption to prosper! They can't even understand the material that is taught during the very first hour of Economics 101.

"Gun buybacks are one of the most ineffectual public policies that have ever been invented in the history of mankind."- Steve Levitt

[Captain Compassion]

How can I sell any guns I may own to some buy back program? Wouldn’t I need a Federal Fire Arms License as per Obama’s executive order?

[marktwain]

If you are politically correct and politically connected, you are exempt!

[marktwain]

If you are politically correct and politically connected, you are exempt!

[vette6387]

How can the government “buy back,” something they never sold you in the first place? The only people who would “sell” any of their firearms to a government agency shouldn’t probably have had them in the first place, or they are trying to get rid of something that’s a piece of crap so they can get a decent gun.