$1000 reward to turn in an illegal gunowner

[Autolycus]

http://www.nydailynews.com/01-01-200...p-408106c.html


New York Daily News January 1st, 2007
By Stanley Crouch

Gun program arms citizens with the best weapon



The removal of guns from this city's streets is basic to achieving a civilized level of order and a feeling of safety, which is the job of the New York Police Department and the city administration and any gathering of do-gooders focused on the lowering of the murder rate.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly says that Operation Gun Stop is a necessary program because it creates incentive and guarantees the protection of those citizens who want to report the sale of or possession of illegal firearms.
"The best police work frequently results from the alliance of the community and law enforcement," Kelly says, "which is why we are offering $1,000 to each person who contacts us with information that leads to an arrest and a conviction."
Operation Gun Stop is funded by the NYPD and information can be supplied anonymously by dialing the toll-free number, 866-GUN STOP. Rewards are paid within 72 hours of the arrest of one or more suspects. In 2006, between Jan. 1 and Dec. 10, Operation Gun Stop received 701 tips, made 549 arrests, seized 293 guns, and paid $189,000 in rewards. Not bad.
But why is anonymity important? "Our job is to protect the community as much as it is to bring in criminals who threaten lives in the community," says Kelly.
Kelly went on to explain something we all should know: "These are not toy criminals and they are not toy guns. If someone notifies us about a member of a drug crew who is known to possess illegal firearms, under no circumstances do we want that person's name available to the criminal. If even WE don't know who the person is, he is that much safer. Otherwise, the arrest of a suspect could lead to grim results."
I think this is the kind of a program that should provide a national model for addressing a far from insignificant problem. It also allows those who are tired of the conditions created by the lawless to strike back at them. Without guns, many deaths would have been avoided because the murderers are not people hypnotized by the possibility of bringing guns to equal the odds; they bring guns to have an advantage. As neighborhood people, both young and old, begin to help law enforcement remove the instruments of degradation that dog the community, we can all breathe easier. I say that because when a gun has been confiscated we know it will not be an instrument of terror or murder.

 

[Chipperman]

Well, at least they did use the words "illegal guns" several times.

One cannot help but wonder, though...
How many legal gun owners will be hassled through this?
How many false reports will be filed by vengeful people?

Without guns, many deaths would have been avoided because the murderers are not people hypnotized by the possibility of bringing guns to equal the odds; they bring guns to have an advantage

 

[deadin]

Although their heart's on the right place, I just wonder who is "qualified" to recognize an "illegal" gun owner before the police get involved. How many perfectly legal owners are going to be raided and have their guns confiscated until an "investigation" determines that they are legal? (And then, what condition will they get them back in?)
I can imagine those that would just "turn in" everyone they can think of in hopes of hitting a good one and collecting the $1000. (Kind of like a lottery ticket.) There should be some sort of a penalty for false reports but this probably would squelch any “turn-ins”.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I just wonder who is "qualified" to recognize an "illegal" gun owner before the police get involved

My thoughts exactly.

 

[kevin davis]

This sounds a lot like Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union! How many kids will turn in their parents when they get mad over a curfew. More problems will arise than problems solved.

 

[model 649]

If the accusers identities are kept secret, how do the accused "confront their accuser" in court? The statement about criminals "bringing guns to have an advantage" was also interesting. How about citizen's rights to "even the odds"? Just more "anti-crime-speak" from those insulated from most of it.
Josh

 

[rustymaggot]

189 grand can do greater good donated to the school system or tward after school programs

id be willing to bet rival gang members were turning eachother in and collecting funds to buy more guns to shoot eachother. its possible the police actually helped criminals afford better guns.

 

[gunsmith]

we just find out where the local precient is

& call the number, there must be a number of illegal guns there

 

[illini52]

Am I the only one that thinks the basic principle of this program is a good idea?

 

[fitoo1]

You know I would hope their heart is in the right place but common sense tells me NYC wants to get rid of ALL guns...in thier fantasy world all guns are illegal. I bet they are finding out were a whole passal of legal guns are as well. That info will be handy when the blue helmets come marching in kristalnacht style.

 

[MSGT9410]

The principle is fine -- But in practice, it will create more problems than it will solve. That's just society for you.

 

[rbernie]

"The best police work frequently results from the alliance of the community and law enforcement," Kelly says, "which is why we are offering $1,000 to each person who contacts us with information that leads to an arrest and a conviction."

Rewards are paid within 72 hours of the arrest of one or more suspects.

The wheels of justice turn awful fast up in New Yawk.

 

[Punkermonkey]

What's next? Will they remove the reward and punish you if you don't turn someone in?


Is your integrity for sale?

 

[Chipperman]

Am I the only one that thinks the basic principle of this program is a good idea?

By basic priciple, do you mean keeping guns away from murderers? Then, yes it's a good idea.
Just like the basic principle of keeping people from becoming drug addicts is a good idea.

The problem is with implemetation and control.

 

[Baba Louie]

Gee, if they'd only make it that easy to get an owner's permit in NYC, there probably wouldn't be so many "illegal" guns there... ya think?

 

[redneckrepairs]

Am I the only one that thinks the basic principle of this program is a good idea?

You mean to tell me that YOU think using an unverifiable word of mouth source for probable cause to search and seize property with no recourse by the property owners is a good idea ? Lets leave guns alone for a second and say that it applyed to unsafe cars , and the police showed up and seized your car because someone called and stated the tread wear did not meet the leagal requirements . My guess is not only would you be the first one raising hell everywhere you could abut the legality of it , but would have an entirely new appreciation of the " basic principle " as it is being applyed .

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I can imagine those that would just "turn in" everyone they can think of in hopes of hitting a good one and collecting the $1000.

Yes. There should be criminal charges filed if someone reports on someone who is in legal possession of a gun. Certainly there should be no immunity for false reporting, i.e., the victim should be able to sue the false reporter, but the police say it is anonymous. Cannot have anonymity in this kind of thing. You have a right to face your accuser in our system. That is fundamental to liberty.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Am I the only one that thinks the basic principle of this program is a good idea?

No, but it would be nice if you were. Gun possession is a fundamental right. New York City has essentially outlawed the exercise of that fundamental right. How can increasing its efficiency in this endeavor be anything but bad?

 

[Sheldon J]

this is a no brainier

I just wonder who is "qualified" to recognize an "illegal" gun owner before the police get involved

Selling drugs on the street, an ex felon, or on the wanted list, they are in violation of Federal law and it is a illegal for them the even have a bullet much less a gun.

 

[telomerase]

Now we need to expand the program. There must be a $100,000 reward for people to report unconstitutional laws.

 

[JohnBT]

Just what we need, a felon buyback program.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

Well, at least they did use the words "illegal guns" several times.

Yeah, they keep using that terminology, but there is no such thing as an "illegal gun". They use that terminology to demonize guns and for no other purpose. The problem is with the people who own them if they are felons or mentally unstable. Dangerous felons should be in prison, and the unstable should be institutionalized or under full time guardianship.

These "illegal guns" are nothing more than guns bought, sold, kept, and borne in defiance of unconstitutional law. Period.

As long as we keep using their lingo, we aide and abet the anti-gun-rights crowd. They coined the term and coined it for only one reason; the afore mentioned demonizing of guns. They are friggin' with our RIGHTS! Guns are good. The anti-gun-rights crowd is bad.

Woody

As the Court said in Boyd v. United States:

"It may be that it is the obnoxious thing in its mildest and least repulsive form; but illegitimate and unconstitutional practices get their first footing in that way, namely, by silent approaches and slight deviations from legal modes of procedure. This can only be obviated by adhering to the rule that constitutional provisions for the security of person and property should be liberally construed. A close and literal construction deprives them of half their efficacy, and leads to gradual depreciation of the right, as if it consisted more in sound than in substance. It is the duty of courts to be watchful for the constitutional rights of the citizen, and against any stealthy encroachments thereon."

We should not wait solely upon the Court to protect our rights for us, but should take an active part in protecting our own sovereignty as well.

 

[Molon Labe]

Illegal gun?

While it may be illegal to carry a gun in NY, it is not unlawful.

 

[chipp]

I can't remeber where I heard this. I'm pretty sure the media. The guy was talking about himself. He lived in New york city and wanted a gun to protect his family from some kind of threat. He tried to purchase one and wasn't able to. After alot of trying he gave up and bought one on the street the same night. (with no conections)
I can't help wondering if they arested this poor guy?

 

[grimjaw]

I have marked up the artiicle's content for correctness.

The removal of violent criminals from this city's streets is basic to achieving a civilized level of order and a feeling of safety, which is the job of the New York Police Department and the city administration and any gathering of do-gooders focused on the lowering of the murder rate.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly says that Operation Crime Stop is a necessary program because it creates incentive and guarantees the protection of those citizens who want to report the possession of firearms by felons or other illegal activity.
"The best police work frequently results from the alliance of the community and law enforcement," Kelly says, "which is why we are offering $1,000 to each person who contacts us with information that leads to an arrest and a conviction."
Operation Crime Stop is funded by the NYPD and information can be supplied anonymously by dialing the toll-free number, 866-CRIME STOP. Rewards are paid within 72 hours of the arrest of one or more suspects. In 2006, between Jan. 1 and Dec. 10, Operation Crime Stop received 701 tips, made 549 arrests, seized 293 illegally obtained guns, and paid $189,000 in rewards. Not bad.
But why is anonymity important? "Our job is to protect the community as much as it is to bring in criminals who threaten lives in the community," says Kelly.
Kelly went on to explain something we all should know: "These are not toy criminals and they are not toy guns. If someone notifies us about a convicted felon who is known to possess firearms, under no circumstances do we want that person's name available to the criminal. If even WE don't know who the person is, he is that much safer. Otherwise, the arrest of a suspect could lead to grim results."
I think this is the kind of a program that should provide a national model for addressing a far from insignificant problem. It also allows those who are tired of the conditions created by the lawless to strike back at them. Without violent crime, many deaths would have been avoided because the murderers are not people hypnotized by the possibility of bringing weapons to equal the odds; they bring them to have an advantage. As neighborhood people, both young and old, begin to help law enforcement remove the violent byproducts of urban environments that dog the community, we can all breathe easier. I say that because when a person willfully intent on inflicting harm has been arrested, we know they will not be an instrument of terror or murder.

Before I marked it up, the words "gun" and "firearm" appeared 13 times. It's never the actor in a crime that causes the problem, it's the GUN. It is if you believe everything you read.

Since they are seemingly powerless to stop crime they stoop to confiscation and restriction of property ownership.

jm