Second gun buyback program for city targeted
Jeremy M. Lazarus | 6/22/2023, 6 p.m.
City Hall plans to continue to invest in gun buyback programs despite clear evidence that the program has not worked, which studies have shown is the case in virtually every locality offering to pay people to turn in their guns.
City Council is expected to approve a request from Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration for $80,000 to cover the cost of the second gun buyback.
The ordinance that is on track to secure overwhelming approval calls for the city to again partner with Liberation Church on Midlothian Turnpike in South Side, which hosted the Richmond’s first event last August.
Gun violence has soared in Richmond since the first gun buyback event was held, with police reporting almost nightly on the discovery of one or more shooting victims. Police have reported that shootings and slayings have increased in the months since the first gun buyback took place in 2022.
The ordinance states the city has allocated $500,000 to support the buyback initiative from federal funding provided through the American Rescue Plan, and will have at least $340,000 to pay for additional events after the second one is held.
Council, at the request of the administration, allocated $80,000 for the first event. The city teamed with the Robby Poblete Foundation to stage it. City police reported spending $67,500 to buy 481 weapons at the initial event.
