Gun buybacks don’t serve owners, public

“Police victimization of senior citizens and residents” would be a more accurate description of the so-called buyback of pistols in Cleveland (“Gun dealers take advantage of police buyback program,” Plain Dealer article, Oct. 21 Dispatch).

The collectors are the real heroes in offering the true value of the firearms to folks who brought these guns to the buyback program. Most nonfirearms folks have no idea that the old gun that dad or husband left in the drawer is worth, and they are the people who respond to these programs.

These feel-good, liberal-progressive gun buybacks are a waste of time and resources that could be better used in real crime prevention.

Not a single crime is prevented, despite all the idiotic hype of “taking guns off the street.” The guns received were not a threat; the real threats are still out there with the druggies and gang bangers.

Should a poor or elderly citizen be cheated out of the true value of a potentially collectible firearm by the police? Collector guns are not a crime problem. Why should a collectible firearm that may have a value far above the $100 gift card not reward the owner? This may be the money that pays the rent, heat or food bill.

If guns cause crime, why are gun crimes down when gun ownership is at an all-time high?


West Jefferson