Gun buyback program

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A gun buyback program is a program instituted by a police department in a city where gun crime is on the rise, to turn in handguns or other kinds of weapons. A reward is usually posted for these weapons (e.g., gift cards.)

1 In the United States
- 1.1 Boston
2 Criticism
3 References

[edit] In the United States

[edit] Boston

From July 12-14, 2006, the Boston Police Department offered US$200 Target gift cards in exchange for a handgun, with or without ammunition. Rifles and shotguns were accepted, but had no reward. [1]

[edit] Criticism

By generating allowing people to sell back guns (at a price which is often above the street value of the weapon), such programs become candidate for the Peltzman Effect.^{[citation needed]} People now have an incentive to buy guns from dealers and then sell the to the city, pocketing the difference. In the end there are no fewer guns on the street but there is more money in the possession of criminals.