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Wait Until You Hear the Clever Way Private Gun Buyers Invaded a Gun Buyback Program in Seattle

Jan. 28, 2013 2:21pm Jason Howerton

Private Buyers Spoil Seattle Gun Buyback Event by Offerring Cash for Firearms

Seattle Police officers log guns exchanged for gift cards under Interstate 5 in Seattle during a CIty of Seattle gun buy back program on Saturday, January 26, 2013. The city has collected donations totaling nearly $120,000 to pay for a series of gun buyback events. Participants have been asked to unload and secure their weapons in the trunk of their vehicle or in a locked container. Credit: AP

The Seattle Police Department held its first gun buyback event since the 1990s this weekend, offering people gift cards for their firearms. However, dozens of private buyers showed up in an effort to acquire the guns using the so-called gun show loophole, which allows guns to be sold without a background check.

Hundreds of people showed up Saturday morning to give their rifles and shotguns as well as semi-automatic rifles to police in exchange for gift cards worth $100 and $200 respectively, KING 5 reports. The police planned to destroy the guns and use them as rebar in local construction projects.

Meanwhile, a number of private buyers set up a makeshift gun show-style event and offered cold hard cash for guns and even lured customers with donuts.

“I pay cash, I don’t give Amazon gift cards,” one dealer told a gun seller.

“It’s a historical firearm, I would hate to see it get destroyed. I’ll give you $100 cash for it,” another buyer offered a gun owner.

Many held up signs that let gun owners know they would pay cash for unwanted firearms.

“I’d rather see it turned back into the gun community used to promote shooting sports,” one man told KING 5.

(KING 5)

Private buyer Mason Vranish reportedly purchased a rocket launcher from of a man who had come to exchange it for a gift card, but officers confiscated the weapon on the suspicion that it had been stolen from the U.S. military.

“Their reason was even though it was single time use item it is still military property concern that a soldier had stolen it from the base or whatever and it wasn’t theirs to own… so it somehow ended up in the civilian market illegally,” Vranish told KING 5.

(KING 5)

Seattle Police Sgt. Paul Gracy carries guns collected from people in a City of Seattle drive-thru gun exchange program under Interstate 5 in Seattle on Saturday, January 26, 2013. The city has collected donations totaling nearly $120,000 to pay for a series of gun buyback events. Participants have been asked to unload and secure their weapons in the trunk of their vehicle or in a locked container. Credit: AP

Seattle Police Chief John Diaz said he would “prefer” gun owners not sell their guns to private buyers at the gun buyback event.

“Some are looking at this as a money making operation,” he told KPLU-TV. “But I think that is very few of the people. Most people are here in the spirit of wanting to do something because of some of the tragedies that we’ve seen in our country and in our own city.”

The buyback program is funded by donations from Amazon of $30,000, the Seattle Police Foundation of $25,000 and local businesses of more than $118,000. In the first two hours of the event, police say they gave our $35,000 in gift cards for 160 guns.

In a separate gun buyback event, Mercer County officials say more than 2,500 weapons were turned in for cash during a two-day gun buyback program in Trenton, N.J.

The Trenton gun buyback surpassed one in Camden in December that netted more than 1,100 weapons.

Mercer County residents received $25 to $250 for each firearm depending on type, condition and legality.

About $100,000 was budgeted but because of the huge turnout, the amount spent is expected to be well over double that. Some participants were given vouchers after money ran out Saturday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

(H/T: Raw Story)

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (335)

niterider
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:24pm
I love it when they have gun-buy-backs: our tax dollars at work disarming the ignorant and stupid. I love when liberals speak out against guns….cause I know they will be the first to die or beg a gun owner to protect them in an emergency. I know my feelings are cold but it is literally about to hit the Evolutionary Cycle where the Survival of the Fittist is the rule.

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RightThinking1
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:18pm
Here is a display of Chicago murder weapons…, some interesting antiques in there, but I see no ‘assault rifles’.
If anyone recognizes that rifle with the brass buttplate, I’d like to know what it is. Maybe an early .22 pump? : http://news.yahoo.com/chicago-reaches-40-homicides-january-225220316.html

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bobfrommosinee
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:18pm
They need to have some of those buy backs up here, The thought of the collectable firearms being sent to the smelter is criminal.

Yes, How many historically significant weapons are being destroyed in the name of Gun Control that are not a danger to the public, But would make beautiful displays in context of their Historical and Cultural uses.

One other thought, Tax Payers money being wasted for what purpose? Just how many of those people are criminals and a danger to anyone, And the few criminal that may have turned guns in, Want to bet those guns were used in crime, and the Tax Payer payed to have the evidence destroyed, and give the Banger a discount on His next piece.

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Earnyourkeep
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:12pm
Looks like the failed “Cash for Clunker’s” program to me.

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slappyhooper
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:11pm
Man I wish I had 100k. I’d advertise a gun buyback program myself.

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daniel3839
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:11pm
LOL! I love it!

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avgconservative
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:02pm
Problem is, anyone stupid enough to turn in a gun, probably doesn’t know how to unload and secure the gun in the first place!

LOL!

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M24
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:01pm
You People That turned in Your Guns For gift Cards are With Out A Doubt The Most Ignorant Bastards On This Planet !!!!! You Will Be Sorry You Did That One day Stupid ,Stupid !!

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- qpwillie
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:05pm
  One city at a time. By the time they get around the country, the job of confiscating the rest will be a lot easier.
  
  Those bastards know what they’re doing.
  
  Report this comment
- r3dbull4dd1kt
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 10:46pm
  IDK M24–looking at the JUNK they turned in, I’d ay they got the better end of the deal–rght up until I saw they were forced to take a scAmazon Gift Card; How o they know it even has any funds on it?!
  
  Report this comment
Tripod6324
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:59pm
I watched the KING5 telecast, I’ve read all of the commentary, and I’ve studied all the photos that I could find. I didn’t see one gang-banger turning in a stolen weapon. Just a small group of fuzzy headed liberals in Seattle (where they have a huge statue of Lenin but none of Washington) disarming themselves. These are the first people to throw down their weapons and run away at the first signs of trouble absolutely no loss to the rest of us. God Bless All.

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starboard
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:56pm
In the late 70’s, Baltimore police offered $50 for any working firearm. A department store going out of business at the time was offering a 12 Gage single shot Harrington/Richerson shot gun for less-then $40 after taxes. Having purchased one at this price I remember thinking how easy it would be to get a free shot gun after buying 4 and turning them in.

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ChiefGeorge
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:55pm
I’ll bet some cops had their days made for them when these old time guns showed up. Imagine some old lady giving away her husbands rare winchchester octagon barrel pump action rifle.

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NDPINDNT
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:55pm
Where is the line in the sand America? When are you going to say enough is enough of the far left destroying our country? At some point I think Obama will hit that line before his last year in office.

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Whatmeworry-never
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:49pm
Guy with the Stinger launcher probably never heard of reloading, think of what that reloading chart would look like.

People are stupid on these buy backs, are we sure they are not just bus loads of the same folks and guns traveling from one town to the next like Obama voters do? Making look better than it is.

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fastgen1
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:47pm
I makes me weep for all of the left wingers selling their guns. Boooohooooo. These same people have no food storage either. In obammy we trust. hahahahhahahahahaha

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Xiccarph
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:46pm
Gads! So sick of this website not knowing you’re logged to post when you are logged in!

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NotAGolfer
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:35pm
Cash for Clunkers, II. I hope nobody sold a valuable gun for $200, but rather maybe the ones not worth crap.

I feel sorry for the Seattle taxpayers–at least the minority who couldn’t stop this idiocy.

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- DougHuffman
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:13pm
  Good point, Cash 4 Klunkers II.
  
  Know why the game’s called GOLF? All other 4-letter words were already used. Know what it’s called in Japanese? GOLF, ’cause all the 4-letter Japanese words had been used.
  
  There’s been a good critical analysis of C4K I recently – a lose lose for all, environMENTALISTS and economists.
  
  Report this comment
Joyzee
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:31pm
Obama needs a Reality’ Amendment..!!

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DefyTYRANNY
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:30pm
Our local Sheriff’s department is Auctioning off all of their confiscated weapons online to FFL license holders. They are going to get a lot of revenue from this. Most of them were likely confiscated from people caught for people who smoked pot. Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. I bet if in these states that they have legalized marijuana against Federal Law, the feds could use that to confiscate sooo many guns! Wait a minute…. Hey, if any of you guys live in those Legalized Marijuana states you might want to keep that in mind if you think you might want to spleef one up.

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coalfired
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:28pm
If these “assault rifles” are so dangerous, that they kill and maim just by being present, why did the Dept. of Homeland Security just order 7000 full auto rifles. I guess they are more trustworthy than the average law abiding citizen. Remember Ruby Ridge, and Waco Tx.
“NEVER LET A GOOD CRISIS GO TO WASTE”

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Ruprecht
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:26pm
Seattle and Trenton police are giving away some chump change to disarm their citizens. Based on the junk that it appears they’re collecting, this is accomplishing exactly zero. How many criminals are showing up with functioning weapons to get a gift card? More than likely zero, again. Pointless drivel.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff comes out and recommends that law abiding citizens purchase arms and the training to handle them safely and effectively. He gets criticized by idiots like that three time loser Mayor Barrett of Milwaukee.

Tell me which one makes sense.

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VetMike
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:19pm
What a hoot! Of course, during the zombie apocalypse the only people that will be able to protect themselves is the police (and those of us smart enough not to sell out our liberty for a dollar and some snacks).

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checkingbothsides
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:03pm
I’m going to give you guys what you want from a Liberal, and agree with you. I’ve given these buy back programs a lot of thought, and decided it’s a feel good waste of time. What does it accomplish? Either they’re getting rid of illegal weapons that should be evidence in criminal cases, or they’re buying a bunch of unwanted junk. But it makes it seem like our officials are taking positive, proactive action. It’s a PR stunt.

An assault weapons ban will never pass in this climate, so why not focus on the things we mostly agree on? Forget about bans and focus on mental health in this country, focus on background checks and registration so we know WHO has these weapons. Close the idiotic “gun show loophole”. I’m not even in favor of an assault weapons ban anymore because I think it would take decades to really make any difference. So again, why don’t we forget about all the sideshows and focus on doing things that might actually make us safer?

P.S.-I’m even rethinking my own stance on owning a firearm. Everybody on your side is armed to the teeth, why shouldn’t our side be too? ;)

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- raybojabo
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 7:17pm
  P.S.-I’m even rethinking my own stance on owning a firearm. Everybody on your side is armed to the teeth, why shouldn’t our side be too? ;)
  
  Sorry Check, but if you buy a gun you are on our sjde unless you think your precious commie leaders will allow you to take your gun and help them to bust down your conservative nieghbors doors and confiscate their evil weapons.
  
  Report this comment
ICEDRAGONNITE
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:55pm
Since when can a police force use tax payers money to thwart the 2nd Amendment, in intent if not by action, or both? This buy back is Unconstitutional because it intends to diminish the 2nd Amendment, and used tax money to do it.

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DennisHand
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:45pm
Great idea. Can’t wait for the next buyback in my area. I know where I will be shopping.

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Need to be FREE
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:43pm
Love it this is great!!

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