Another gun buyback is planned before the end of the year, and organizers may also want to plan to receive a larger number of gift cards.
A Saturday event was scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but so many people traded guns for gift cards that it ended after 90 minutes, said Darry Lloyd, chief investigator for the eighth district prosecutor’s office.
“We were supported from the start,” said Lloyd. “People ask, ‘How can you safely destroy a weapon?’ The city of Gainesville says, ‘Give it to us and we’ll take care of it.’ “
Approximately 80 guns of all sizes and types, from a toy-like .22 caliber to an AR-15 style weapon, were included. The guns are sawn, shredded, or torn down in a similar manner.
The buyback at Mount Moriah Baptist Church on Williston Road was sponsored by the Attorney General, Gainesville Police Department, Save Our City, and the Big Daddy Unlimited gun business.
Big Daddy owner Tony McKnight gave away safes for individual guns and gun locks.
“For us, it’s a charitable gun ownership service,” McKnight said.
The buyback is part of a community strategy to curb gun violence, which has increased in recent years.
Another part will be the use of trained “violence interrupters” to quell the retaliatory shots that occur in feuds between neighborhood gangs.
GPD chief Tony Jones said on Saturday that details of the program are still being worked out.
A number of the shootings this year took place between opposing groups who opened fire at parties, parking lots and other locations.
Young people and spectators were killed and wounded by the gun violence.
“Gun buyback in and of itself won’t alleviate the gun problem, but it is part of an overall strategy that research has shown to be effective,” said Jones.
The post The Gainesville gun buyback on Saturday brings in about 80 guns first appeared on Daily Florida Press.from Daily Florida Press https://dailyfloridapress.com/the-gainesville-gun-buyback-on-saturday-brings-in-about-80-guns/
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