S.D. City Council OKs Gun Buy-Back Effort

The San Diego City Council voted Monday to begin a gun buy-back program that supporters say will help reduce violent crime and the city’s homicide rate by taking hundreds of firearms off the street.

Police Chief Bob Burgreen had been seeking council approval of the program for several months, arguing that it will help stem a flood of violent crime. The plan approved by council members will authorize police to begin the first gun purchases from private owners in three weeks.

Burgreen also said that buying back guns now in private hands is a good way to help combat the city’s soaring homicide rate. San Diego set a record for homicides in 1991, with more than 180 killings recorded in the city, surpassing the previous record set in 1988.

The council voted to use up to $25,000 in federal funds to match funds that are expected to be contributed by private groups. The federal monies were given to the city from assets seized by the U.S. Justice Department from local drug dealers and other criminals.

City officials hope to augment the program’s budget with donations from private businesses and foundations. In December, Burgreen said he hoped to work with a budget of $65,000, which would enable police to buy at least 1,000 guns and 1,000 trigger locks, which would be made available to gun owners.

At the time, Burgreen said two private, nonprofit foundations had expressed an interest in donating money to the program, but the groups have not been identified. On Monday, council members did not identify any private groups that might participate in the program.

However, City Manager Jack McGrory said 500 safety locks have already been distributed to local gun owners.

According to the city plan, police would pay $25 for each handgun and some rifles and up to $50 for assault-type weapons. Citizens can sell their firearms to police at the department’s gun range on Federal Boulevard, off California 94. Returned firearms will be melted and recycled.

Despite wide support for the gun buy-back among council members and police, critics say the much-ballyhooed program will have little or no effect on violent crime. Hard-core criminals and gang members, say critics, are not likely to sell the sophisticated weapons that are now commonly used in street crimes.