Monday, March 18, 2013
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said the turnout was "tremendous."
Residents turned in 631 weapons during Howard County's gun buyback event on Saturday. In all, police took in 314 handguns, 168 rifles, 149 shotguns during the event that ran long due to a wait. Police distributed about $63,000 in funds, paying $100 each for the unwanted guns, from money seized in drug investigations. “The tremendous turnout today shows that many people have firearms in their homes that they don't want or need,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “There are now hundreds of fewer rifles and handguns in Howard County that could fall into the hands of children or thieves and cause real damage." “Clearly there was an interest and a need in our community for an event like this,” said Police Chief William J. McMahon. “We …
Friday, March 15, 2013
Residents who turn in guns at Saturday's event will receive $100 and a free gun lock.
County Executive Ken Ulman and Howard County Police Chief Bill McMahon shared the podium on Friday with a family member of a victim of accidental gun violence to ask residents to turn in unwanted guns on gun buyback day. McMahon said police will give people $100 each for guns brought to the Dorsey Building at 9250 Bendix Road in Columbia from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Police said individuals turning in guns will remain anonymous and up to three guns can be turned in for money, although police will take as many guns as a person brings. On turning in weapons, Ulman said, “If you don’t think you need a [weapon], even if it’s specifically secured… now is the time, you get $100, bring it on in.” The money to pay for the guns is coming …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Howard County police will hold a gun buyback program on March 16.
Howard County police are offering residents $100 for their gun if they bring it to the Dorsey Building in Columbia on March 16. Guns dropped off at the event will be destroyed and funds to pay for them will come from money seized in drug investigations, according to police. “This is truly about safety,” said Police Chief William J. McMahon, in a statement. “If you have a gun in your home that you no longer want, we will help you eliminate the possibility that it could be used in a way you never intended.” Those participating in the event will remain anonymous, and police said they will not ask for identification at the event. Police will buy any complete firearm, but not gun parts or pellet/BB guns. Residents who bring a gun to the event …
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Friday's Connecticut school shooting weighed on the minds of those that gave their guns to police in Prince George's County.
Prince George's County Police and Laurel Police collected more than 150 guns Saturday during a buyback program in Laurel, The Washington Post reports. Residents handed guns over to law enforcement officials in exchange for gift cards. Though the program was planned before Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, many of those that turned weapons over to police said they didn't want the firearms to fall into the wrong hands, according to the paper. The massacre in Connecticut left 26 students and staff at the school dead, including 20 young children. Two previous gun buyback events in Prince George's County have collected more than 300 guns, police said. Read the full story at The Washington Post.
Kenneth A. Stevens
9:37 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
It's my fear that that's exactly what some of them will do now that that have a new $100 to spend. Maybe they'll be able to get more than one. Is this really a workable solution? more ›