Thursday, 4:30 PM
Boston officials launch gun buyback program
By Suzanne Smalley, Globe Staff
City and police officials and community leaders announced this morning that a gun buyback program is restarting in Boston.
They announced that about $40,000 has been raised for the program, under which people who turn in guns will be given $200 in Target gift cards.
Officials are opting for gift cards instead of cash because criminologists have found that in previous buyback programs, some people used the buyback money to purchase newer guns.
The turned-in guns will be traced to try to connect them to crimes, officials said, but no identification will be required of people who hand in guns, and they will not be charged with possession.
The buyback program is the latest effort to cut gun violence in the city. It reprises a city effort that from 1993 through 1996 collected 2,800 guns by offering $50 cash for each weapon.
