Gun Buyback Program In Baltimore Aims To Reduce Violence

BALTIMORE, MD — People who turn in guns and high-capacity magazines can get paid cash for them the week before Christmas in Baltimore. The gun buyback program, which allows participants to remain anonymous, was announced on Tuesday, Dec. 11, by Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle.

"We’re going to be offering cash for guns," Pugh said, "because we need to get these guns off the streets."

The buyback program is part of the city's strategy to reduce violence.

"Just last night we experienced another [case of] gun violence in the city," Pugh said.

A man was found shot near Pennsylvania Avenue at Dolphin Street around 8:38 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, police said. Officers were dispatched to the area for a report of a shooting and found the man unresponsive. He was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.

While officers were providing first aid at the scene, they discovered the victim — who has not been identified — possessed a loaded handgun, police reported.

"For me, it's more than enough is enough," Pugh said. "We've got to get the guns off of our streets."

Baltimore will pay up to $500 for a gun at its upcoming gun buyback, which is planned for three locations in the city on three different days.

Monday, Dec. 17 — Noon to 8 p.m.

• Shake and Bake Family Fun Center
• 1601 Pennsylvania Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217

Wednesday, Dec. 19 — Noon to 8 p.m.

• McElderry Park Community Center
• 11 N Montford Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205

Friday, Dec. 21 — Noon to 8 p.m.

• Perkins Square Baptist Church
• 2500 Edmondson Ave, Baltimore, MD 21223

People who turn items in will remain anonymous and be paid in cash.

The guns could be illegal or legally possessed guns, officials said. They don't even have to work.

"If a broken gun comes in, we'll take it," Tuggle said.

Law enforcement asked that people who bring the guns in to the buyback have them unloaded.

"Leave the ammo at home," Tuggle said.

Here is what the city will pay during the December 2018 gun buyback program:

• $25 for high-capacity magazines
• $100 for long guns and revolvers
• $200 for semiautomatic guns
• $500 for full automatic guns

Tuggle asked those who have guns but do not need them to turn them in too.

"I sort of equate guns in households to the current opioid crisis that we're having," Tuggle said. "If you don't have those guns in your house, they can't be used."

Gun owners who legally owned their weapons were being targeted for burglaries, he added.

"Often those homes are broken into, those guns are stolen and [thieves] end up committing violent crimes in the streets of Baltimore," Tuggle said. "If you are a legitimate gun owner and you don't have a need, turn it in, and we'll buy it from you."

Added Tuggle: "At the end of the day, guns kill people."

The mayor said homicides are trending down but that every life lost to violence was one too many. The city has seen more than 290 homicides this year. In 2017, it had 343 homicides.

When asked about where the funds for the gun buyback would come from, Pugh said: "We will have money to buy back the guns," adding that some nonprofits may be assisting.

For more information about the gun buyback, call the Baltimore Police Department at 410-637-8880.

During the Dec. 11 press conference about the gun buyback program, the mayor reported that 59 guns were stolen from a gun store in Baltimore County a few weeks ago. "Our fear is that they end up in our streets," Pugh said. In addition to the December gun buyback, there is an illegal gun bounty program year-round that allows people to cash in on recovering stolen guns, through a partnership between Metro Crime Stoppers and the Baltimore Police Department. Photo by Craig Soltis.