TX: Cheap Gun Opportunity El Paso 28 October 2023

El Paso Texas has organized a cheap gun opportunity for Saturday, October 28, 2023. The event is expected to be memorable because of the amount of money available and the short time allotted to expend the funds. From KVIA.com:

County commissioners unanimously voted to use $300,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to establish the new program.

With the funds they will purchase gift cards to give to those who voluntarily turn in guns at their events.

The flurry of gun turn-in events (called buybacks, in Orwellian word choice), is fueled by the 1.3 trillion dollar boondoggle of the "American Rescue Plan". The destructive politics which are causing food, fuel and housing prices to skyrocket is being used for these propaganda projects.  The "American Rescue Plan" is a direct cause of inflation.

Of the $300,000.00 allotted, $120,000 or 40%, will be used for advertising of the event, and staff, according to KVIA.  Local media and those who will be paid overtime for the event will benefit. This is the first of possibly three or four events planned for El Paso. From the experience of this correspondent in Phoenix, and the recent history of a similar project in Houston, there will be significant opportunities for private buyers to purchase excellent firearms at low prices. The event will be held at Ascarte Park in El Paso. Ironically, the park is right on the border with Mexico. There are significant barriers at this border area. TX-375 loop, a chunk of President Trump's border barrier, and the Rio Grande river separate the park from Mexico. Trump's border barrier transitions to a much less formidable fence at the West end of the park. Map of Ascarte Park in El Paso

In Houston, it is reported some police attempted to hassle private buyers without effect. Private purchasers are perfectly legal in Texas and most states. Many private purchasers declare they have concealed carry permits, to show they are have been vetted. There are 25 states which allow people with permits to purchase firearms without going through the National Instant background Check System (NICS) to various degrees. In the October 21 event in Dallas, the police were professional and co-operative. 

El Paso has not had an event such as this for over 20 years. There will be an accumulation of people who have inherited firearms, who know little or nothing about them, and who want to get rid of them with a minimum of hassle. This is the genesis for excellent deals for private purchasers. The park is public property. It is difficult to see how private purchasers could be legally excluded from a public event. As these events are organized to have people bring the firearms in a vehicle, most successful private buyers walk the line of vehicles, and ask people if they are interested in accepting cash for guns.

In this correspondent's experience, there are three groups of people who turn in firearms at these events: inheritance,  economic, and ideological. There is always some overlap in these groups. Those who have inherited the firearms see little value in them, and simply want to eliminate the hassle of owning a firearm they do not wish to deal with. These are the best prospects. The economic group has an idea of what the firearms are worth, and expect to obtain more than market value. The ideological group wants the firearms they are bringing to be destroyed. Ideologicals are impervious to offers to purchase. At an event in Tucson, Arizona, a person insisted on having an original Colt Python destroyed, in spite of being offered thousands of dollars for the revolver.

If you intend to be a private purchaser, make a sign so people can easily see your intent. You may wish to have a small cart to help contain and carry your purchases. These events do not pay for ammunition. Consider asking about ammunition. You may obtain ammunition for very reasonable prices. 

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch

Great background on the upsurge in gun "buyback" programs.