As part of a continued battle against gun violence, the Rocky Mount Police Department on Thursday will hold its fourth gun buyback program, paying cash for unwanted firearms.
“We are taking whatever steps we can to get weapons out of the hands of the wrong people,” Cpl. Mike Lewis said.
The department will accept all guns – from non-working replicas to assault rifles – from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday in the police department parking lot at 330 S. Church St.
“For safety reasons, we ask them to leave the weapons inside their car when they arrive at the police department,” Lewis said. “They should come up to the tent and tell the officer where the gun is in the vehicle and they will safely secure the weapon.”
No questions about the history of the gun or why residents are participating will be asked, authorities said.
“This is a way to get these guns you don’t want out of your home without any questions,” Lewis said. “Most of the time people want to get rid of a gun so their child isn’t exposed to it or they are concerned about someone stealing the weapon.”
Nearly 250 guns have been turned in throughout the past three gun buyback events and almost $10,000 has been paid to participants.
Staff will pay $5 for each air gun, BB gun and non-working weapons while rifle and shotgun owners will receive $50 per gun.
Owners will receive $75 for each handgun and $100 for any type of assault rifle.
“The assault rifles are the largest threats, therefore we are paying the most for those – but we want to give the public an opportunity to get any type of gun out of their home that they are uncomfortable with,” Lewis said. “We will pay them and dispose of the weapons in a safe and proper manner.”
The city has allocated $6,000 to the event.
“We want to do whatever we can to make the community safer,” Lewis said.
For more information, call the police department at 972-1471.
Comments
Cash for guns
It is unlikely that this effort will produce a lower crime rate or reduce the amount of gun violence in Rocky Mount. Some people will argue that 1 gun taken off the street possibly could save one life. Maybe there would be less guns in a householld for a child to access. Potentially saving a life. However, I believe criminals and gang members will still have enough weapons to break the law.
Garbage
“The assault rifles are the largest threats, therefore we are paying the most for those – but we want to give the public an opportunity to get any type of gun out of their home that they are uncomfortable with,” Lewis said. “We will pay them and dispose of the weapons in a safe and proper manner.”
Ignorant garbage!
For one thing, they are sporting rifles, lack selective fire and are almost never used in a crime. How about the police and politicians get their heads out of their rears and focus on the nut cases, criminals and drugs.
If a lie is told enough the ignorant idiots believe it over the truth that is is their faces. Handguns and high capacity external (detachable) magazines are more of an issue than any long arm. Even then the issue is the person not the tool.
Gun Buy Back
Getting rid of your guns because the criminals have too many, is like getting castrated because your neighbor has too many kids.
Gun Buyback
Who is providing the money for this gun buyback? A private donor? Or taxpayers? With all respect to our law enforcement agencies, I have noticed that all government officials (including police) seem very happy to spend other people's money, even for programs that don't work.
After gun-buyback programs, police always announce that they were "tremendously successful."
But are they really successful at "crime control"? Not according to the National Institute of Justice (nor even according to various experienced local law enforcement officers with whom I have spoken). [ http://www.nij.gov ]
Did our City Council approve this expenditure? If so, then shame on them! STOP WASTING OUR MONEY!
gun buy back
Why would we want to sell you our guns? We are not the problem, the problem(s) remain on the streets, drive by's and with the thugs. We need to protect ourselves and not sell them to RMPD to make it look like y'all are doing something when we bring our guns to you. Do you really think the thugs are going to BRING you their guns???? Get out on the streets and get the guys with the guns that actually hurt or kill people.
$ for guns is a colossal failure
If you want to hear a very real-world perspective of guns & gun control - give this a listen: http://www.freakonomics.com/2013/02/14/how-to-think-about-guns-a-new-fre...
Those who have guns and want to keep them - will. Those who have broken guns or inherited them and have no plans to ever fire one - will make some free money. Not a single "criminal" will sell a gun to the police when they could more easily sell it for drugs on the street.
It's a PR stunt by local PDs to look like they are doing something but it you were to measure its effectiveness - what would you see? Nada.
Just Curious
“We are taking whatever steps we can to get weapons out of the hands of the wrong people,” Cpl. Mike Lewis said.
Who are the wrong people? Isn't the right to keep and bear arms guaranteed by the 2'nd amendment to the US Constitution?
I think it's illegal for convicted felons to have a firearm. Does the City think that a felon is going to turn in a firearm? If a convicted felon appears with a firearm, wouldn't he by law need to be arrested?
Just curious.
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