“Organizers weren’t sure what to expect from the first gun buyback in the Grier Heights community. They would be happy, they said last week, if they recovered one gun from the streets of a neighborhood that’s seen its share of high-profile violence in the past few years. But just after 2 p.m. Saturday, community leaders stood in front of a stack of handguns and ammunition that had been exchanged for nearly $500 in gift cards.”

The question is whether the organizers should be happy?

Can they really say for certain that any of those recovered guns were ever in fact “from the streets?” Did the organziers even care if the guns were on the streets or in a closet? We think these organizers are just anti-gun, not anti-crime.  News 14 Carolina offered another spin on the story:

“Many of the guns collected were passed down from generations. While organizers don’t believe those that participated in the program are potentially violent offenders, they do say the program helps keep the firearms out of the wrong hands.”

So what we have here were guns that could be considered family heirlooms, and possibly collectible in nature and were “handed in” for a gift card valued between $25 and $50. That seems like a real shame to us, more so because as the story points out even the organizers felt those weren’t actually on the streets. But not that the organizers clearly believe these guns – and probably any gun – could end up in the wrong hands.

The question in that case, was these really about getting guns off the street then, or just about getting guns out of private hands? And why didn’t any of the reports about this event ask that question?

“This is not about trying to diminish someone’s Second Amendment right, and it’s not about us telling people they shouldn’t own a gun. This program is for people who are too old to operate a gun or for people who no longer wish to have a gun in their home.”

Well, this is upsetting, because the paper added that most guns would end up being destroyed. We must question whether valuable items will be practically given away for a $100 gift card, and we further ponder how much history could also be destroyed – especially in Texas, where guns helped tame the once savage land.

“…there are a number of dangerous weapons that are off the streets.

“It looked like a yard sale for violent criminals with more than 2,500 fired arms [sic] on display for L.A.’s gun buyback program.”

We can only wonder how KABC would describe a gun show? There is also some questionable logic in this story. It ends with this statement:

“…there are 300 million guns throughout the United States, overshadowing the 2,500 weapons retrieved through this program. However, every weapon counts because statistics show that the crime rate in Los Angeles is down.”

If crime is already down, then why would these weapons count at all? If crime were up previously, but fell after the buyback than it could be seen that the buyback was a success but if crime is already down, then does this matter at all? Doesn’t this just prove that guns aren’t the problem?

“Phoenix police took dozens of weapons off the street with a gun buy-back event Saturday.”

Again, we have to ask why anyone believes, and why the mainstream media continues to report that gun buyback events actually “take guns off the street.” There is no evidence of criminals actually handing in their guns. And unlike other buybacks, this one was clearly an anti-gun rally as well. The site further noted:

“Youth leaders, safety advocates and police spoke out against gun violence.”

Who were these leaders and advocates? The news site didn’t mention, but we have to wonder if the real motivation here wasn’t really about gun control rather than crime reduction. While liberals may think they go hand in hand, recent statistics have suggested otherwise.

“Officials in Lancaster took more than 40 weapons off the streets, most of which were working guns, in a gun buy-back program over the weekend.

“The Rev. Otis Lathan of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was called to action by recent shootings and deaths in Lancaster County. Lathan paired with the Lancaster Police Department and the Lancaster Alternative Policing Strategy to organize Saturday’s buy-back.”

We’ll ask first whether there is any proof any of these weapons were on the street? In this particular case – a rarity we’ll add – the paper did mention that one seller claims to have found a gun in a ditch, so finally a gun that was truly near the streets if not on the streets entirely. But how many of the other 42 guns were merely in a closet, or basement or doing no harm to anyone?

Second, we’ll ask whether any of these “working guns” were worth more than the $50 paid out? We’d guess probably most. And we’ll ask whether any of these guns might have been potentially historically significant as well?

But the issue is that this is just another case of spin. With all due respect to Rev. Lathan, he can’t really know for sure if this will have any impact. And we’d like to mention that this event took time, money and resources. Wouldn’t a day of police patrols and solving crime, cracking down on corners where gangs hang out possibly have had as much of an impact on the community?

“The groups solicited donations to provide $50 gift cards for each operable gun turned in. Those who turn in a non-working gun or other type of weapons will receive a $10 gift card.”

This is another attempt to “get guns off the streets,” but what criminal will turn in a gun for $50. Antique firearms, which may not technically work – such as those with black powder and can’t easily be tested – could net $10. Check out an episode of Antiques Roadshow or Pawn Stars. Such guns could be worth 100 times as much. This is shameful. Let’s hope history isn’t lost for enough for a burger and a small soda.

“Participants are asked to put the weapons in their trunks and Colleton County deputies will collect them. The officers will make sure the guns still work and determine the value of the weapon. The owner will be given a gift card in that amount.”

So the guns need to work? If the intent is to get guns off the street, we ask why needing to work is the issue? Also, we would question the issue of “value,” as in will it be fair value? But at least in these cases it is possible that those handing in their guns will get more than $25. At least we can hope.

“Hand over an illegal gun, get a $50 Visa gift card.”

After all, if you legally own a gun, are you not able to take part in the Suffolk buyback? So while the intent maybe about taking guns off the street, the message is guns should be illegal. At least that’s how we read this one.

“Not everyone was so enthusiastic. About a half-dozen men who said they are advocates of ‘open carry’, the practice of openly and legally wear an unloaded gun, stood at the corner of Market Street. They held signs and handed out fliers that told participants in the exchange they may be getting a bad deal, but none of the men were armed.”

It would be great if other law abiding citizens also let those handing in guns know that these items are worth more than a few bucks or a bag of groceries!

“A new program will allow people to trade in guns for gift cards in an effort to combat illegal handgun violence in Jackson.”

Wouldn’t sweeps of crime ridden areas do a better job of combating illegal handguns? We’ll ask one more time, why would a criminal hand in an illegal gun, especially for a $100 gift card? The paper quotes Lisa Silver, executive director of the Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association, who offered this tidbit:

“Just in light of all the recent events, we felt like we had to do something to spread the word that this kind of activity is not acceptable. Our police force works so hard, but the responsibility also falls onto this community.”

So how does getting the community to sell their guns help reduce crime? There is a bright side to the story, the article notes that “each weapon will be checked to see if it’s lost or stolen, and if so, will be returned to its owner.” Let’s hope some guns go home instead of just being destroyed.