2006 Boston Gun Buyback

Buyback collects 1,000 firearms!

“AIM FOR PEACE” PROGRAM COLLECTS 1,000 FIREARMS!

Program Ends, Message of Peace Continues

Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Acting Commissioner Al Goslin, in conjunction with the Boston Police Department and numerous community and faith-based organizations, is pleased to announce that the 2006 Boston Gun Buyback “Aim For Peace” was a major success. “Aim For Peace” has taken 1,000 firearms off the streets of Boston.

Gun Buyback comes to an end

(Editor's Note: this blog will stay running indefinitely as a way for volunteers, activists and the community to continue working on the issues of guns and youth violence.)

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"AIM FOR PEACE” BUYBACK PROGRAM COMES TO AN END

MESSAGE OF PEACE CONTINUES
Program Exceeds Expectations, Unites Community in Gun Violence Reduction Efforts

Friday, July 14th marks the final day of the 2006 Boston Gun Buyback “Aim For Peace”. As of today, the program has netted over 700 firearms. With one final day remaining, individuals seeking to participate are urged to do so before 7:00pm on Friday.

The hotline, 1-888-GUNTIPS, will remain active for the next several weeks for community members who wish to provide information related to criminal activity or can provide information leading to the whereabouts of a “community” firearm.

“Aim for Peace” program yields over 380 firearms and counting!

Official Press Release
For Immediate Release
June 24, 2006

“AIM FOR PEACE” PROGRAM YIELDS OVER 380 FIREARMS AND COUNTING!
Program Launches High Tech Initiatives to Maximize Participation

Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Superintendent in Chief Al Goslin, in conjunction with the Boston Police Department and numerous community and faith-based organizations, is pleased to announce that the 2006 Boston Gun Buyback “Aim For Peace” is exceeding expectations. As of today, the program has netted 382 firearms.

“The gun buyback program is off to an encouraging start,” Mayor Menino said. “We are confident that this program is sending a strong message that violence on the streets of Boston will not be tolerated.I am pleased that the community is coming forward in this effort to get guns off the streets and I look forward to the continued success of the program.”

“Aim For Peace” Exceeding Expectations, Need For Funding Increases

from bpdnews.com, the Boston Police Department blog...

Mayor Menino, The Boston Police Department and our Buyback Community Partners wish to extend our gratitude to the City of Boston Credit Union for their generous donation of $5,000. The continued support of charitable donors is crucial to the ultimate success of this program. As of today, the program has collected more than 250 firearms and that number continues to grow.

Businesses or individuals wishing to support the program and take a gun off the street can send contributions to:

BuyBack Program
c/o Ten Point Coalition
215 Forest Hills Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(p) 617-524-4331

Every dollar will be used to purchase gift cards in exchange for guns taken off the streets.

Bakersfield, CA considering buyback program

Every gun off the street means one less tragedy
The Bakersfield Californian | Saturday, Jun 17 2006 8:50 PM

Gun buyback programs have a long and inconclusive history, except to those at the extremes of the debate.

Some gun advocates are convinced buybacks have no effect whatsoever -- or worse, a negative effect. Those at the opposite end of the conversation, including many in law enforcement, believe that simple, sustained subtraction reduces crime over time.

Jack Smith Jr. likes to think of himself as somewhere in the middle. He's not out to change the world, not out to irritate the NRA, not out to mess with anyone's Second Amendment rights. He's just sick of all the senseless death.

A sampling of what we've received

In the close-up, this firearm is one of many received that have their serial-numbers filed-off.

In the table picture, a sampling of what's been received. The .22 caliber assault rifle generates a lot of interest from those who see it in person - a truly frightening gun. This gun was turned-in with 2 high capacity clips at a Hyde Park drop-off location.

Day 4: 127 guns so far

As of Thursday morning. And, because official buyback hours don't start until Noon, that number really is 3 days' worth... an average of 42 per day!

And remember, we're accepting all firearms, BUT only give gift cards for working handguns from Boston's streets, homes, rooftops and other hiding places.

More updates to come, of course.

Gun Buyback Exceeding All Expectations: Real Guns = Real Results

6/14/2006 Official Press Release

Program Partners Asking Local Corporations to Donate Funds
Every dollar received will be used to purchase gift cards in exchange for guns taken off the streets.

The new Boston Gun Buyback Program is off to a strong start. As of this morning (June 14,2006), we have collected 100 firearms turned into police and community drop-off locations. As a result of the program’s success, funds for gift cards are running low. This is a “call to action” for local corporations to join our efforts to decrease youth violence and take guns off the streets of Boston.

“These are high-powered handguns that are used every day in crimes in our city”, commented Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Darrin Greeley. “Young men from the neighborhoods hardest hit by violence are laying down their arms in a major step towards peace.”

On Tuesday June 13th, a Ruger .22 caliber assault rifle with 2 high capacity clips was turned at a Hyde Park drop-off location. At a Dorchester site, an individual turned in a .45 semi-automatic in perfect condition. Monday’s collection included a .40 caliber Sig Sauer, a 9 mm Smith & Wesson, a .25 caliber handgun (all from young men of color in their twenties), and 2 handguns were turned into a minister in Grove Hall by a grandmother who found them in her grandson’s room.

“These are not junk guns from someone’s attic,” stated Jorge Martinez of Project Right, one of the community partners of the Buyback program. “Critics can feel free to live in our neighborhoods for a week and see if they’re happy to have these deadly weapons off the street.”

Mayor Thomas Menino, the Boston Police and community partners have developed a tight program, which effectively reaches out to Boston residents and turns away guns that are not in good condition.

“We will accept rifles and shotguns, but are not giving out gift cards for them,” stated Deputy Greeley. “At this rate we will run out of gift cards by end of today because participation in the program is so strong.”

Businesses or individuals wishing to support the program and take a gun off the street can send contributions to:

BuyBack Program
c/o Ten Point Coalition
215 Forest Hills Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(p) 617-524-4331

Every dollar will be used to purchase gift cards in exchange for guns taken off the streets.

Day 3 - We need your support now!

The 2006 Buyback is exceeding expectations. As a result, we quickly went through 60 gift cards. Because we are offering meaningful incentives to turn in firearms - a $200 Target gift card for working handguns - this gets expensive real quick. 60 guns = $12,000.

Because the Buyback is premised on a "no questions asked" policy, it is not possible to accept guns and tell the courageous individuals turning them in that we'll "get back to them later" with their gift card. Nor would it be acceptable to turn away someone who wants to do the right thing! So, clearly, we need your support NOW.

Businesses or individuals wishing to support the program and take a gun off the street can send contributions to:

Gun BuyBack Program
c/o  Boston Ten Point Coalition
215 Forest Hills Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Every dollar will be used to purchase gift cards in exchange for guns taken off the streets.

Please copy and send this appeal to everyone you know that might be interested. Direct your friends to this site (www.bostonbuyback.org) and also our MySpace page - www.myspace.com/bostonbuyback

Day One: 41+ handguns

Gun Buyback Exceeding All Expectations:  Real Guns = Real Results

The 2006 Boston Gun Buyback Program got off to a strong start on its first day (Monday, June 12) with over 41 handguns turned in to police and community drop off locations.

Young men from the neighborhoods hardest hit by violence are laying down their arms in a major step towards peace.

“These are not junk guns from someone’s attic”, commented one community volunteer. Indeed, Monday's take included a 40 caliber Berretta and a 9 millimeter Smith and Wesson in Fields Corner, a 25 caliber handgun turned in Codman Square, and 2 handguns turned into a minister in Grove Hall by a grandmother who found them in her grandson’s room.