Do Gun Buybacks Work Asks CT Post

Finally someone in the mainstream media is asking the question that we’ve asked time and time again, and that is whether gun buyback programs and special events actually get guns off the street. In a story for the CT Post this is not only asked, but it notes that under the Bush Administration the federal gun buy-back program was ended, and replaced with the federal state Project Safe Neighborhoods. Instead of looking to pay for guns, this program concentrates on prosecuting convicted felons caught with handguns.

According to this news story several hundred felons have been sent back to prison for violating the gun laws under Project Safe Neighborhood. In our mind that is a better way to get illegal guns off the street than merely throwing cash at gun owners.

What this story also notes is that internationally these gun buybacks have been successful, but at a price. It could be argued that the buybacks in Australia worked fine, but as the author notes, “participation was mandatory.” In other words, the only really successful buyback would be one where all gun owners would hand in their guns.