Recently a Gun Buyback program in Newport Oregon didn’t quite go as planned. The event was co-sponsored by the Newport Police Department and Central Coast Ceasefire Oregon. In exchange for firearms and magazines turned in no questions asked, attendees would receive gift cards to Fred Meyer superstore. Ranging any where from $25 for a high capacity magazine to $175 for an “assault rifle”. Strangely enough, Fred Meyer sells firearms.
Apparently, the word was spread on Opencarry.org’s forum and some members formulated a plan. Either to turn in junkers and “jam-o-matics” bought cheaply in the past, or to check with people in line and purchase whatever gems they find.
Some of the firearms rescued: Remington Model 11 Semiauto 12 ga made in 1926, Damascus barrel 12 ga breech loading shotgun pre 1900, Mossberg bolt action 20 ga shotgun made between 1947-1950 and various .22 handguns. Awesome job folks!
All in all, 138 firearms were turned in. Now, one question I have had about these “feel good no questions asked” gun buyback events… How many murder weapons or stolen firearms have been turned in?
The organizers ran out of gift cards and promised to mail them to those who turned in firearms and magazines.
In an email to FoxNews, Julie Wheeler President of Ceasefire Oregon Education Foundation acknowledged that a profit could be made at these events. However, she insists that it’s not always the case.
“The opposite is also possible,” Wheeler told FoxNews.com in an e-mail. “Some firearms come in that are much more valuable than the awarded gift cards. The turn-in does not pretend to be a market value exchange.”
A 2004 study by the National Research Council cast doubt on whether the programs actually make Americans safer, finding the “guns that are typically surrendered in gun buy-backs are those that are least likely to be used in criminal activities,” explains the study.
“In contrast, those who are either using guns to carry out crimes or as protection in the course of engaging in other illegal activities, such as drug selling, have actively acquired their guns and are unlikely to want to participate in such programs,” the study said.
So, here’s another question for you… Would you do what these folks did?
Personally, if there’s ever a gun buyback in my area I plan to go with cash in hand. Who knows what I may walk away with. Also, plan to hit the gun show and look for beat up stuff that people are selling for parts value.