Phoenix gun buybacks top expectations

[Ptah]

But Phoenix police may not have time to destroy all the weapons before new legislation kicks in

The success of Phoenix’s gun-buyback program could begin to undermine the
goal of destroying every weapon collected.

The program brought in 979 weapons in two sessions earlier this month, with
residents receiving grocery gift cards for every weapon turned in. Organizers
collected an additional 937 guns on Saturday, thanks to another $100,000
that came from an anonymous donor.

Those numbers surpassed city officials’ expectations. But the gun buyback
was designed, in part, to get unwanted weapons out of homes and into the
hands of Phoenix police before a new law takes effect requiring police to
sell the guns instead of destroy them.

Supporters of destroying weapons claim the programs provide a safe outlet
for people who want to dispose of unwanted guns, but critics say buybacks
are self-gratifying efforts that have little effect on public safety.


http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20130516phoenix-gun-buyback-top-expectations.html