On Monday, the Pittsburg Metropolis Council voted 4-0 to approve funding for a gun buyback program hosted by the Pittsburg Police Division.

The aim is to cut back the weapons bought illegally locally and to cut back the variety of related accidents and deaths. The $100k in funding won’t come from the town basic fund, however quite from the Pittsburg Energy fund stability which might finance the gun buyback program. Any extra funds not utilized on the occasion can be rolled over to a future firearm and violent crime discount applications

Chief Steve Albanese defined to the council that since June 1 the police division has been concerned in a 90-day marketing campaign to cut back violent crime and gun violence all through the town. Through the marketing campaign, 75 weapons have been taken off the road.

“The power to host a gun buyback program can be the ultimate occasion to this marketing campaign that we actually assume would make an enormous distinction in our group,” acknowledged Albanese.

Albanese additionally stated since June 1, they’ve taken on common 1 gun a time off the road and that 52% of these arrested with unlawful firearms weren’t from our group—they had been non-residents. 20 of the 75 weapons have been ghost weapons whereas 29 have been unregistered firearms.

“The general aim of this program is to take away weapons off the road and out of our group,” stated Albanese.

Prior to now, Albanese stated in 2014 and in 2016 latest gun buyback occasions resulted in 300 firearms turned in. Most just lately, San Mateo County, Marin County and Oakland held buybacks and firearms became ranged from 130-500 firearms.

He additional highlighted the important thing aims of the gun buyback which embrace:

1. Present members of the group a protected and easy course of to dispose undesirable firearms
2. Cut back the supply of weapons in Pittsburg and surrounding communities
3. Elevate consciousness of the dangers of firearms
4. Cut back crime and gun violence.

“We checked out this program and its not nearly enforcement, its concerning the three E’s. Schooling, engagement and enforcement,” stated Albanese.

The gun buyback program can be totally managed by the Pittsburg Police Division, together with promoting, staffing the occasion, and destroying the firearms.

Based on the Workers Report, this system pays:

• $50 for non-operable weapons
• $100 for handguns/rifles/shotguns,
• $200 for assault rifles and ghost weapons.
• The funding all positioned by the Metropolis Council can be used to buy present playing cards from native companies that can be offered to residents in the course of the occasion–meals, fuel, and different native companies.

Residents will be capable of safely convey weapons to the occasion secured within the trunk of their automotive, and the Pittsburg Police Division will take possession the gun(s) at that time. All firearms collected can be destroyed.

Mayor Holland Barrett White thanked the police division for being modern however stated he was skeptical a program just like the gun buyback would assist cut back violent crime.

“However I additionally notice the price of doing nothing is much higher,” stated White. “Whenever you see 75 recovered weapons, that speaks volumes for the necessity of a program like this. It additionally reveals an atmosphere that our law enforcement officials are anticipated to enter and work… it’s a very good place to begin.”

Councilmember Jelani Killings requested when it comes to the purchase again if the firearms had been stolen, utilized in crimes or hold them out of the arms of sure individuals.

Albanese defined they don’t management what firearms are introduced in and a part of the push is this system is nameless and to take away weapons from the road. He stated solely 4 of the 75 weapons they recovered throughout their program had been stolen.

“I’m supportive of this work,” stated Killings.

The council then voted 4-0 to approve this system with councilmember Merl Craft absent,.

Notice: just lately, Pittsburg Police search warrant after a retail theft arrest, resulted in a single suspect having 18 illegally possessed firearms.