At its meeting last week, the council voted 3-0 with one abstention to conduct the gun buy-back program Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the College Park City Auditorium, 3631 Main St.
Those approving the program were council members Joe Carn, who came up with the idea, Ambrose Clay and Tracey Wyatt. Charles E. Phillips Sr. abstained.
According to College Park Police Chief Ron Fears, the city has allocated $20,000 to buy back the guns and get them off the streets.
Those bringing guns for the buy-back program would receive, in a lump-sum cash amount, $100 for those bringing in an operable handguns, shotguns or rifles. Those bringing in guns fitting the federal definition of an assault weapon will be paid $150 cash for such weapons.
Those bringing in inoperable guns would even be paid $25 per weapon.
According to Carn, the goal of the program is to remove a quantity of guns from College Park streets and dispose of them in a safe and permanent manner as the guns brought in would be melted down or cut up in small metal chunks.
“The College Park City Council has always been supportive of its police department,” Fears said. In addition to the number of guns actually turned in and therefore, gotten off College Park streets, it would also raise public consciousness about being kept in the home and how important it is they be kept away from children.
Fears said that he would love to see the entire $20,000 city allotment from the gun buy-back program to be dispersed.
“I would deem this program a success if we dispersed some $15,000,” he added.
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