Tallahassee residents are invited to take part in the city’s third Gun Buyback program to help reduce the increasing gun violence in Florida’s Capital city.
Since 2010, the North Florida Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives has worked with area law enforcement agencies to host the Gun Buyback program every two years. And, NOBLE’s president Tonja Bryant-Smith says in years past, it’s been pretty successful.
“In 2012, we got 44 guns—one of which had been reported stolen, and it was actually returned to its owner. So, of course, it’s 2014, and we’re trying it again this year. So, we’re going to do two locations. In the past, we’ve only done one,” said Bryant-Smith.
Normally, the program focuses on the South side of town, but this year, they’ve decided to incorporate the North side as well. In exchange for gift cards valued between $25 and $50, residents can give in unloaded handguns, rifles, shotguns—no questions asked.
“So, even like the one that was reported stolen, we don’t even know who the person was who dropped it off. They didn’t get charged with it. So, we’re not really trying to charge them. We really just want this to be a community-safe event where they can come in, turn the gun in, and get it off the street,” she added.
Friday’s event will take place at Thomasville Road Baptist Church from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. And, Saturday’s event will take place at Bethel AME Church from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
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