Image from New York Government Press Release
On September 16, 2021, the Government of New York State hosted a gun turn in event in New Rochelle, New York. Monetary rewards were offered for guns turned in. These events are typically labeled with the Orwellian phrase "buyback", but the government cannot "buyback" items it never owned. From lohud.com:
Guns can be turned in for money in New Rochelle Friday with no questions asked.
The state Attorney General's Office, New Rochelle police and Westchester County District Attorney's Office are teaming up on the gun buyback program, with assault rifles fetching $250, handguns $150, rifles and shotguns $75, and non-working and antique guns $25.
The event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bethesda Baptist Church, 71 Lincoln Ave., New Rochelle.
Payment will be made in the form of prepaid debit cards. Each person who turns in an operable handgun or assault rifle will also receive a free iPad.
From the image, there appears to be 22 pistols (7 revolvers, 15 semi-autos), 26 ordinary long guns, including 2 collectible military bolt action rifles, and two HK91 or similar clones, perhaps made from kits. The picture may have been taken before the event was finished.
There have been numerous academic studies showing these events do not decrease crime or suicides. The most rigorous and largest study showed a slight increase in crime committed with guns in the two months after these events. From a previous article:
Moreover, during the first two months following the gun buyback, we find that a GBP is associated with an increase in incidents of firearm-related crime. The 7.7 percent increase in gun crime we detect in column (4) is relatively modest, suggesting at most, two additional gun crimes.24
The press release by Attorney General Leticia James' office shows numerous false assumptions. From the New York Government press release:
“Every gun that was brought in today will make our communities safer,” said Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah. “Allowing people to safely remove unwanted guns from their homes can help reduce many of the risks associated with having a firearm, including suicide, domestic violence, and unintentional deaths of children. It will also help prevent these guns from falling into the wrong hands and making our streets less safe. We thank New York Attorney General James, the County Executive, and the New Rochelle Police Department for partnering with us on this essential public safety initiative.”
Removing unwanted guns from peoples homes is not "taking guns off the street". The only barriers requiring the state to "allow people to safely remove unwanted guns" are those imposed by the government. In most states it is very safe and simple to advertise the gun for sale, sell it to a gun dealer; or take it to a gun show for sale.
The assumption that more guns equal more danger has repeatedly been shown to be false. In many cases, more guns equal less danger.
The major purpose of these events appears to be propaganda. The message is:
Guns are bad. Turn them in to the police.
The next event appears to be scheduled for Rome, New York, with the same incentives. The event will be held on September 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The announcement of an upcoming gun turn-in for the Rome emphasizes these events are "amnesty" events. From spectrumlocalnews.com:
Guns must be unloaded and placed in a plastic bag, paper bag, or box. This is an amnesty program, meaning no questions will be asked of anybody dropping off a gun.
While this is an amnesty program, licensed dealers and law enforcement officers are not eligible. As "no questions will be asked", how are they to be excluded?
Licensed gun dealers and active or retired law enforcement officers are not eligible to participate in this program.
It is not surprising the numbers are low. Nearly any working long gun is worth more than $75 on the free market. Nearly any working handgun is worth more than $150. Only a few guns labeled as "assault rifles" will have a market value of less than $250.
The program takes advantage of people ignorant of guns and their value, by giving them less than what the guns are worth, in order to make government propaganda.
Some savvy gun owners will use the program to unload barely functional arms for cash.
©2021 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
Gun Watch
There are Antique pistols worth over 100K$ Nice way to make some extra cash. Some of those guns on the table are worth far more than they are being paid. It is not a buy back it is theft.
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