The news of 27 adults and children losing their lives at the hands of a gun-carrying twenty-year old has numbed a nation…and brought it to its feet.Numerous calls for discussion regarding gun control law and policy in the United States have rung across the fifty states in the past few days, chief among them initiated by President Obama during his speech at the vigil held two days after the shooting.The discussions are vital to understand the issue of guns in the U.S.—to follow their life cycles from production, to sale, to use, to storage, to disposal. They are important in assessing the difficulty involved in obtaining a gun and the qualifications for operating a firearm an individual must possess to actually purchase and own one.
These vital discussions may turn into important proposals for new legislation, which could result in the passage of landmark laws and policies that can inform and dictate the acquisition of guns.
What About Addressing Guns Now?
As the legislative powers begin working, one cannot help but to wonder if there is another agile, adept sector of passionate, informed individuals who can do something sooner to address access to guns.
Social innovators have tasked themselves with addressing the world’s most pressing problems. Is there a way for social entrepreneurship to incentivize gun reduction sooner?
Gun Buyback Programs
Since the devastating news of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on December 15th 2012, a number of innovative gun buyback programs cropped up across the country. These programs have been funded by the government or private donors and offer a modest sum in exchange for arms.
Here are a few buyback programs that have appeared across the U.S. just over the past few days:
- San Francisco, CA Anonymous Gun Buyback Program (12/15/12): The City of SF paid $200 per gun turned in. Over 200 guns were collected.
- Los Angeles, CA Gun Buyback Program (12/26/12): The City of Los Angeles will give $100 or $200 gift cards in exchange for pistols or assault weapons.
- Evanston, IL Gun Buyback Program (12/15/12): Organized by Carolyn Murray, whose 19-year old son was passed away from gun violence after Thanksgiving. Police paid $100 for up to 2 guns. Over 45 guns were collected.
- Brooklyn, NY Gun Buyback Program (12/15/12): NY Senator Malcolm Smith funded a program that offered a $200 bank card in exchange for surrendered firearms. Over 130 guns were collected, including 80 revolvers and 31 semi-automatic pistols.
- Albany, NY Gun Buyback Program (ongoing): Pastor Charlie Muller is organizing an exchange of $150 in gift cards for guns surrendered.
- Baltimore, MD Gun Buyback Program (12/15/12): The Klein family of Klein’s ShopRite of MD gave a $100 ShopRite gift card for each firearm surrendered. Over 460 firearms were collected.
- Prince George County, MD Gun Buyback Program (12/15/12): Gift cards ranging $25 to $100 were given in exchange for guns surrendered. Over 160 guns were collected.
- Oakland, CA Gun Buyback Program (12/15/12): Youth UpRising and the City of Oakland sponsored a program that paid $200 cash for up to 2 guns each. Over 250 guns were collected.
The Truth About Gun Sales in the United States
A Need For Social Innovation
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Innov8social
Innov8social
