Gun buybacks make return to Boston

Boston officials said yesterday they have raised approximately $40,000 to resume a gun buyback program, which will offer $200 Target gift cards for each working gun that is turned in.

Police Deputy Superintendent Darrin Greeley said that people who hand in guns won't be asked for identification, but police will investigate guns' possible ties to unsolved crimes.

``You have to do it," Greeley said in an interview. `` We want to know if the firearm that has been turned in has been involved in other crimes. That's standard police practice."

People turning guns in must double bag the weapons and remove ammunition, officials said. They will not be charged with gun possession if they are stopped, Greeley said, if they follow strict guidelines for dropping them off.

Eight community centers and eleven police stations throughout the city will be exchanging guns for gift cards from noon to 7 p.m. from June 12 through July 14 .

Greeley said that while any gun will be accepted, some weapons -- including rifles, shotguns, and antique firearms -- would not be eligible for gift cards.

``We want guns that are on the street causing the violence and maiming and hurting and killing people," he said.

Through Monday, the number of shootings this year, 162, is almost double the number at the same point last year.

Seventeen were homicides, and there was another shooting death yesterday.

In the last gun buyback, from 1993 through 1996, approximately 2,800 guns were turned in for $50 apiece. A study by criminologist David Kennedy found that almost three-quarters of the guns were made before 1968 and few were the type of semiautomatic pistol typically used in crimes.

Criminologists have also criticized gun buyback efforts for offering cash . They say cash can be used to buy more guns or drugs.

Katherine Mainzer, a community leader involved in planning the earlier buyback as well as the new program, said using gift cards bolsters fund-raising by allowing corporate sponsors to donate merchandise instead of cash. Police officials and community leaders said that they hope other corporations will follow suit.

Isaura Mendes, an anti-violence activist since the her son Bobby was killed in 1995, stood quietly listening to the program. Another of Mendes's sons , Alex, was shot to death earlier this month on Wendover Street.

Christopher Sumner, director of Boston TenPoint Coalition, said he hopes the performance at the press conference by a local hip-hop group, Four Peace, would get the attention of youths .

Suzanne Smalley can be reached at ssmalley@globe.com