Mayor Launches $250,000 Gun Buyback Program
Attempting to reduce shootings on the streets, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a new $250,000 gun buyback program.
The program, which has been used in the past, will again offer $100 gift cards for each gun that is turned in to officials.
But under the new program, the city will not simply host a single event to buy back guns. Under a new format, Chicago will partner with community organizations to host a several buy-backs across the city, officials said.
“Everyone has a role to play in the safety of our city, and this new partnership is a great example of how we can all work together to make our communities safer,” said Emanuel on Monday. “As police, pastors and community leaders come together to encourage people to turn in their guns, we can help turn the tide in our fight against gun violence.”
Organizations can apply directly to the police department and will be responsible for organizing and promoting the events. Chicago Police will staff the events, recover the guns and provide cash cards. The program will be funded through the existing police department budget.
According to news reports, some gun-rights advocate groups are already planning to exploit the program as in the past. Some advocates have turned in inoperable guns and later used money from the sales to buy ammunition.
Still, some community leaders say the buyback program takes dangerous guns off the streets.
“Every gun we take off the street is a potential life saved,” said Pam Montgomery-Bosley, mother of murder victim Terrell Bosley and co-founder of Purpose over Pain. “The police are not solely responsible for curbing gun violence. Our churches and communities need to step up. I fully support this gun buy back fund that allows a stronger partnership between police and communities.”
Montgomery-Bosley joined in a lawsuit in July against three suburban communities to keep guns out of Chicago. The suit alleges Riverdale, Lyons and Lincolnwood did not provide enough oversight over gun shops in their communities.
The villages have “lax or insufficient methods of administration in licensing or regulating gun dealers,” the suit said.
The suit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, also alleges the communities violated the Illinois Civil Rights Act and caused a hardship for African Americans.
The buyback program and lawsuits come as Chicago continues to struggle with gun violence.
According to an analysis by the Chicago Tribune, last month was the city’s deadliest September since 2002. Chicago recorded 60 homicides last month, many in black neighborhoods in the city’s South and West sides.
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