Zeke/PA said:
In fact the good stuff goes home with those connected.
Just curious if you have examples to support this? I hear this alot but Ive never found it to be true.
USAF_Vet,
Where does the money come from that buys the gift cards the police exchange for the guns?
The money would generally come from a charity, or be raised through private donations specifically for the buy back.
And on that note, what guarantee do we have that these guns are being destroyed, and not going home with various officers at the end of the day?
Records availability will vary from one state or agency to another, but with a buy back the records should be easy to obtain, either through a simple formal request, and going up through the legal channels through FOIA, and the various state/local laws that require open records.
Here is a link to help with various states...
http://www.nfoic.org/state-foi-resources
edit to add:
While people will have varying levels of dislike for the "buy back" programs, why not work together, and try offer alternitives, and help support them? Such things as working with various law enforcement to offer public firearm safety programs, etc?
If nothing else, why not volunteer to be an observer, and watch to ensure the "buy back" program is done per the local law, and the policy of the "buy back"?