Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office to Host Gun Buyback Program

Bellingham Defense Attorney, Firearm, Gun Buyback Program, Mount Vernon Criminal Defense Attorney, Skagit County Criminal Defense, Uncategorized, Whatcom County Criminal Defense, , , , ,

gun-buyback

Photo Courtesy of Associated Press – Mel Evans

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) recently announced it was awarded $125,000 from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office to support a gun buy-back program and firearm storage in Whatcom County.

WHAT IS A GUN BUYBACK PROGRAM?

Gun buyback programs compensate individuals who turn over firearms to a public agency or private organization. In the United States, nearly all buyback programs are implemented at the county or city level, and participation is always voluntary. The primary goal of gun buyback programs is to prevent firearm violence by reducing the stock of firearms in a community.

Gun buybacks can also serve as venues for raising awareness of the risks associated with firearms, educating participants about safer firearm storage, and connecting violence prevention organizations, all of which could potentially lead to reductions in firearm crimes, injuries, or deaths.

The WCSO is one of 12 law enforcement agencies statewide to receive funding as part of the Attorney General’s Office efforts to promote firearm safety, combat gun violence, and support victims of gun violence. Some of the funding will be used to purchase gift cards in exchange for surrendered firearms, to reduce the number of guns in circulation, and to promote community safety.

“As the Sheriff of Whatcom County, I want to emphasize that combating gun violence is extremely important to me, not only as a law enforcement officer but also on a deeply personal level . . . Having tragically lost several family members to gun violence, I understand the devastating impact it has on families, communities, and our entire society.” ~WCSO Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanskley.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office will provide additional details about the gun buy-back program, including the date, time, location, and eligibility requirements this coming spring.

HOW SUCCESSFUL ARE GUN BUYBACK PROGRAMS?

Gun buyback programs remain popular despite limited evidence of their effectiveness as a violence prevention tool. A combination of consistently high public support, low cost, and local control contribute to the political and practical feasibility of implementing buyback programs. In contrast, many other violence prevention efforts face intractable political debates, are cost prohibitive, or are implemented at the state or federal level. Buybacks might also be appealing because the results—the guns that are surrendered—provide public officials with the opportunity to point to immediate and visible “success.”

My opinion? The empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of buyback programs is limited and mixed at best. Regardless, buyback programs continue to garner considerable public support and continue to be implemented in many communities. They’re a step in the right direction.

Please contact my office if you, a friend or family member are charged with a Firearm Offense or any other crime. Hiring an effective and competent defense attorney is the first and best step toward justice.