More than a decade after dropping a similar program, Fort Worth officials are joining Dallas in holding a gun buyback program on Aug. 15. – Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
After more than ten years of sanity Fort Worth officials allowed themselves to get duped back into the folly of a gun buyback program.
Their dupers were their fellow officials next door in Dallas.
Gun buyback programs are based on the belief that some ill defined "excess" of handguns can be taken out of the hands of criminals if only enough legal tender is tendered for them.
Like other buyback schemes in other cities, the Guns for Groceries gimmick hopes to get people to turn in a working weapon for a gift card worth $50 in groceries.
.jpg)
Girls with guns (AP Photo/Nancy Palmieri)
"Guns provide even the weak and elderly the
ability to defend themselves against crime.
In fact, we could say handguns are a girl's
best friend. When we think about the
violence and threats of violence that are out
there, diamonds just don't cut it. They don't
call guns 'equalizers' for nothing." – Sharon
Harris, president, the Advocates for Self-
Government.
It's generally understood by all involved – city officials, police officials, gun owners – that these buyback programs never accomplish their stated goal.
It may get a few grimy guns out of the closets but not out of the hands of criminals. The deal killer, according to Channel 5, is this: "Participants will be required to show a form of ID."
It's known nationally that few given-up guns have been used in crimes. Most are old barely working models that have been sitting in dresser drawers for years, unused and nearly forgotten.
Making the program sort of a firearms version of "Cash for Clunkers."
The device of offering grocery cards in lieu of cash is so people can't hand over a pistol past its prime and then apply the dough toward a new gun, or buy ammo for their good gun they still have at home.
So how does that work for you?
"Let's see, I have a shiny new gun and fifty bucks in cash for food but no bullets. So I'll turn in my old rusty revolver for the grocery card, go grab my free food, and spend my fifty bucks on bullets. Thanks for the ammo, amigo."
Even though Fort Worth's last buyback program in 1994 was cancelled after then-City Manager Bob Terrell said it simply "did not work," current Fort Worth City Councilman Frank Moss took the buyback bait dangled by Dallas. He wants to set up shop near Miller Avenue and Berry Street in southeast Fort Worth because, as he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "One thing we have been watching in our crime reports, District 5 has experienced more gun crime and gun violence."
So how does that work for you if you live in Moss' district and you just read that in the paper?
"What? Crime going up in my neighborhood? I better get my ol' shooter outta the attic and clean it up. Score some new ammo for it. Keep it by the headboard at night and the recliner during the day. This ain't the time for voluntary disarmament schemes."
And how does it work, in reality, for criminals? Will they give up their guns for food cards? They're criminals. They can just steal the food. Giving up their guns for anything is like asking a carpenter to give up his hammer or a plumber to give up his pipe wrench or a doctor to give up his golf clubs.
So why do cities nationwide keep putting on these shows? Answer: It makes good street theatre: photos in the newspapers, sound bites on the flat screen.
"See? Your taxpaid public officials are actually Doing Something."
The Doing Something Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, the ardent buyback organizer who reeled in Fort Worth as his accomplice for this current media event, justifies it this way: "We need to work with other cities and be proactive, to increase safety in our communities."
If Moss and Caraway really care about increasing safety in their communities there's a much better way to go. Everyone who can spell "g-u-n" knows the story of Orlando, Florida, in 1966. Following a spate of brutal rapes the local cops began offering highly publicized gun training courses for women. Over 2500 potential victims signed up. Once the word got around the rape, assault, robbery and burglary rates dropped dramatically.
As Sharon Harris of the libertarian Advocates for Self-Government once put it, "Maybe guns ARE a girl's best friend."
So don't bite on the dangling bait of a buyback. You're safer with your gun than without it.
Comments
It's like a mud puddle that idiot boy officials can't resist falling into. Maybe citizens should create a moron city official buyback program.
From my cold, dead fingers, you thieving, heathen pigs!
From my cold, dead fingers!
Interesting . . . Chicago is doing a "Gun Turn In" on the same day. I wrote about it today and included a link to this story at the Chicago Gun Rights Examiner. One thing I discussed was the common idea of standing just outside the "buy back" and offering a better deal to those with decent guns to sell. It's impossible in Illinois, much less Chicago, with our laws. I wonder if anyone will be doing it in Dallas this year?
If they give you Lemons - Make Lemonaid.
Each gun "Buy Back" provides us the opportunity to make some headway with our Pro-Gun arguments. Some direct action is needed.
When a buyback is known about in advance, gather together a few well spoken friends, an FFL and a few gun value books. Set up near the entrance in a van with a big sign in the window, "Do you know what you are throwing away? Get value estimates and alternative disposal options"
As folks stop by, look at the firearm and look up its value in one of the current publications. Suggest that worthwhile pieces be sold to dealers or on consignment through an FFL. Hand out a list of local shops.
Or, if they really want to get them off the street, give them a list of museums that will take them AND they can then get a tax deduction for the donation.
You WILL draw attention of the media. It should be legal if you just talk to folks but make no offer to purchase or help dispose of them.
What say you.
How about a criminal buy back program? Say, offer $10 for a cheap petty criminal? Then upwards of $25 or $30 for a more upward felon. If they would up the ante to $150 or so for the REALLY BIG criminals, someone might turn in Mayor Daley or Nancy Pelosi.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!