FirearmsCoalition.org: No Questions Asked Gun-Buy-Backs Are Illegal
FirearmsCoalition.org
By Jeff Knox:
For decades we’ve heard about gun turn-ins – “Gun Buy-Back” programs sponsored by churches, civic groups, and various other misinformed do-gooder organizations.
The very name – buy-back – implies that guns belong not to individuals, but to the government, or at least to the people who don’t like guns.
The programs have the stated purpose of “getting guns off the street,” which seems to give operators a pass from further scrutiny, even as they offer a tangible good such as a grocery store coupon or gift card in return for a gun, “no questions asked,” much like any other fencing operation.
Finally someone has forced the question: Are these programs legal?
Attorney and author of the New Jersey Gun Law Guide, Evan Nappen, not only asked the question, he is offering a $5000 bounty for anyone who can prove an affirmative answer.
Nappen is specifically asking about the legality of a church-sponsored program in the state of New Jersey. Read more
Another Church Buyback This Saturday
Yet another gun buyback will happen this Saturday in Baltimore, but at least it will offer something resembling real cold, hard cash for the guns – unlike the recent buyback in Detroit! Still, from the story in The Baltimore Sun, the amount paid is likely a fraction of what firearms are worth:
“The program offers a $100 reward for each workable automatic or semi-automatic handgun or assault rifle, and a $50 reward for any other workable gun turned in. Some of the weapons surrendered in September included rifles, shotguns and assorted handguns.”
It is a shame that these events occur. While it is true that these churches and law enforcement have good intentions, the fact is that these hardly get guns off the street, and as we’ve said before good people sell their potentially valuable firearms for a fraction of the value.
What makes this even worse is that that St. Gregory the Great is now looking for donations. This will make the buybacks bigger, but likely without solving the bigger issue of crime.
