TX gun buybacks to have a second shot

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Police in the state capital will bring back its very popular Guns4Groceries, a "no questions asked" gun buyback program that drew an overwhelming response last summer during its inaugural run.

The second run for the program doesn't come as much of a surprise for many after Austin police said the massive turnout last year was a good sign that it would return.

"It is not about infringing on rights to bear arms. It is about collecting unwanted firearms off thre streets," said Lt. Ely Reyes with Austin Police Department.

APD and the Greater Austin Crime Commission will be buying back guns, no questions asked, at the Oak Meadow Baptist Church on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Some $200 in cash gift cards will be given for assault rifles; $100 for handguns, pistols and rifles: and $10 for replica guns, BB guns and air guns.

There is a two-gun limit per person.

Reyes said unwanted guns often end up in the wrong hands and that they hope to give families a safe avenue to dispose of the guns, especially after a violent year.

"Last year, we had a high number or murders and officer-involved shootings," said Reyes. "We are hoping by collecting these unwanted weapons. We can reduce crime in the future."

The program last summer drew a long line of people at Austin Cornerstone Church who waited to trade in their guns for free Visa gift cards. So many people showed up that organizers ran out of funding in the first couple of hours.

Unsure of how many people it would draw, Austin police said they were completely surprised by the community's response. 

Within the first hour of collection, APD and the Greater Austin Crime Commission collected more than 320 guns and dispersed about $30,000 -- the amount they had set aside for the program.

After that, officials started using their backup funds. However, that only lasted for about another hour until they were completely out of those funds.

Still, some people stuck around even after the money ran out just to get rid of their guns.

Authorities said there were a lot of people who didn't know how to get rid of a weapon or who just didn't want a gun back on the street, something Austin police said the program is perfectly designed for. Police take the weapons from the community to make sure they are destroyed.

Reyes said future buybacks could be scheduled periodically in the future if the program remains popular.