Legislator proposes gun buy-back program

The Buffalo News ^ | 7/31/2003 | By THOMAS J. PROHASKA

[Blood of Tyrants]

The hope is to entice owners of illegal guns to turn them in for destruction by police.

Are politicians really so stupid as to think that the murderers and robbers and rapists and drug dealers are going to give up their guns for $50?

[IncPen]

I like the idea of a politician buy back program better

[RightWhale]

buy guns from street thugs.

That should work. Between that and paying farmers to not grow tobacco, the day is beginning to shape up.

[DuncanWaring]

Were these guns ever the property of Niagara County?

If not, how can they buy them "back"?

[boris]

Again I ask: if firearms are being transferred in return for money, this would seem to be a purchase. Has all applicable federal and state paperwork (including waiting periods, if any) been completed?

If not, is it not the case that each and every individual who conducts such transactions is guilty of federal crimes (firearms violations)? Is the pol who proposes this not guilty of conspiracy to violate federal firearms regulations?

--Boris (not a lawyer, but curious)

[chachacha]

"The key incentives within this program are complete anonymity for those turning in the guns

Yep! Even if the weapon murdered your spouse or neighbor.

Isn't this Country great.

That's why the terrorist just love it here.

[muawiyah]

A "politician buy back program"?

What a tremendous waste of taxpayers' dollars.

[.38sw]

In a two-week period, 45 guns were turned in, most by senior citizens. The county paid $50 for working guns and $25 for guns that didn't function.

Geeeeeze, how stooopid is that? Most of the guns were turned in by elderly citizens. Yep, they're pretty dangerous, as street thugs go. $25 for guns that didn't function? What's the point of that? If they don't function, how dangerous are they? I guess you could throw it somebody, and maybe cause a bruise or two. Nothing but feel-good garbage from the bliss nannies.

[Mini-14]

Sure, the city becomes a pawn shop for criminals who steal guns from lawful gun owners. This will encourage criminals to steal MORE guns.

[Warren]

Probably start a run on gun store robberies so they can sell them back.

[GunsareOK]

Except that even the poorest quality gun from a gun shop is worth more than $50.

[cc2k]

The only guns I think the true thugs will sell are the ones they have already used in crimes. Also, maybe a few that they might steal from their next victim(s) in order to avoid getting shot when they come back for more later.

[billhilly]

"NIAGARA FALLS - Niagara County Legislator Renae Kimble is proposing that the county look for money to buy guns from street thugs."

This should go in Ripley's liberal believe it or not greatest hits. Street thugs are not usually lacking in street smarts. This offer is too good to resist. Expect gun thefts to increase dramatically.

[Bubba_Leroy]

These gun buyback programs are great! They support the gun industry by increasing demand, which leads to an increase in price, which leads to an increase in production. Isn't that the same reason that the government buys, stores and eventually disposes of farm products, to prop up prices?

Also, people with old broken guns can get cash that they can use to buy new guns.

Most important, they let idiot liberals feel like they are doing something to reduce hand guns, hopefully preventing them from doing anything even more stupid.

[supercat]

Are politicians really so stupid as to think that the murderers and robbers and rapists and drug dealers are going to give up their guns for $50?

Actually, gun buy-back programs do have an advantage for the gun-grabbers, in that many of the firearms collected are those that haven't had any recorded transfers in the last 35 years, i.e. since GCA'68. I think politicians recognize that some such firearms may potentially be pure gold to any constitutional-reinstatement forces.

[supercat]

Except that even the poorest quality gun from a gun shop is worth more than $50.

I've seen some used ones in the $40's. Even saw a Jennings .22 new "as-is" for about $49.

[Oztrich Boy]

$25 for guns that didn't function? What's the point of that?

you can't tell they don't function when they are included in the Big Pile of Guns photo.

It's all about the image

[facedown]

"I think it's worth a shot, no pun intended," said Niagara Falls Police Chief Christopher J. Carlin. "If we can get one gun off the street using that method, it's worth it."

What an abject toady moron. The guy's dumber than Wiggum.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Brilliant plan. Top marks for democratic legislation!

- Waste of taxpayer money (they 'will look' for money)...10
- shameless self promotion via factless press release...10
- lack of research on subject...10
- scam minorities with a plan that will never help them...10
- tie up huge govt manpower with no results...10
- transfer personal resposibility for violence to an inanimate object-gun...10
- rehash failed program...10
- hide cost and negative results of previous failures in other programs...10
- Bash bush for ending program...10

Impressive.

[joesnuffy]

research into demographic groups that cant handle their freedoms
might indicate that perhaps some groups should have those freedoms limited

& demographic groups that can handle their freedoms should be given more freedoms

we should reward good behavior and punish bad