Crashing Community/Police Gun Buy Backs

You'll be charged with "obstruction of justice" and probably "disorderly conduct" because you're interfering with police who are "doing their job".

You'll be charged with "obstruction of justice" and probably "disorderly conduct" because you're interfering with police who are "doing their job".

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Right ater you're tasered, beaten, and pepper sprayed.

If there's one thing the government hates it's competition.

My best friend works for the state in the ballistics lab---even though her daily job involves firing buyback guns.

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I wonder if they prosecute the person that surrendered the gun if they get a match?

The police did a buyback in Upper Montclair where I used to work.One of the officers I knew said most of the turn ins were little old ladies whose husbands had passed , He said there were a couple of WWII .45s and Lugers he would have loved to get. He also said that they weren't allowed to buy any of them.and that they were going to be melted down.

What about offering free appraisals? Not offering to buy, just telling them the market value of their item. Have a selection of cards for local licensed dealers if they are interested.

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This sounds like an excellent idea. Is it the blue book which has values for used firearms? Bring one of those around with you, along with a sheet listing local gun and pawn shops. As was mentioned, most of the stuff will probably be Lorcins and/or broken, but perhaps there's a jewel in there (or at least something that will pull in $100 at the local pawn shop). If nothing else, you could take notes and report what people were selling (I'm sure the organizers of "buy-backs" don't want it known if most of the stuff they're getting is broken junk). Are people trading in heirloom 1911s and Garands, or are they trading in rusted-out Chinese knock-offs and shotguns with split barrels?

Most of these gun buy backs seem to take place near rough neighborhoods. Most of the guns I've seen at city gun buy backs look stolen and have the serial numbers scratched out.

god, but I just LOVE the euphamisms...

My father maintains that WWII was won because of the Red Ball Express. And I suspect that "those boys" brought themselves home a good number of souvenirs.

Think about "rough neighborhoods" every so often....

I have to think that the odds of finding something worth buying would be awfully slim, since people presumably have thought of selling them at gunshops if they are legal and not obvious junk. (The latter being something they wouldn't recognize.)

You'll be charged with "obstruction of justice" and probably "disorderly conduct" because you're interfering with police who are "doing their job".

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Has it happened, or are you just naysaying?

I know here in TN it could easily be done, sadly the one time I heard about a gun buy back was across the state in Memphis. If they ever do one here in Chattanooga, I plan to attend, and see about buying anything decent. I will likely even open carry.

It amazes me the amount of people on this board who are too timid to ever be free.

I know little about gun buybacks, but my basic understanding is this: they are government sponsored programs to "get guns off the street" (because, you know, the guns can go astray or something) and offer a modest cash amount and (in most places, it seems) no questions asked. Someone correct me if i'm wrong here.

Going off this premise, it seems there are three reasons people would turn in guns:
1) Stolen guns, looking to make a quick buck
2) Broken/Defective guns. From an old shotty with a busted barrel to a Lorcin which never quite worked right, someone's just looking to get a few dollars.
3) "Do-Gooders" who honestly believe that guns are evil, they cause crime, and want them all melted down.

So, if you did this (standing nearby and attempting to buy them) here's what you face:
1) Stolen Property - I don't think I have to elaborate
2) Junk Guns. Unless you're looking for a parts gun for your Hi-Point you just can't bear to part with, these you don't want.
3) These people, because of their feelings, are unlikely to want to sell you their gun anyway - they want to give them to the government....because they're the only ones who need them

Ultimately, it doesn't seem like the time spent (and possible hassle from the cops) would be worth the small likelihood of payoff.

ETA: After reading the thread more closely, it seems I forgot another class:
4) The widow/widower/heir who gets or has a gun that a relative is no longer shooting.
These would most likely be where the deals would be found...but I still don't think these would come along often enough to make it worth it.