Money for guns, latest effort to get guns off Minneapolis streets
For two days only, a group calling itself Project Cease Fire will be buying back guns in Minneapolis.
They'll take the guns for one day in north Minneapolis, and the following day in south Minneapolis. The program comes amid what project officials say is an epidemic of gun violence, not only in Minneapolis but around the country.
Details of the program were unveiled Wednesday in north Minneapolis at the site of the first buy back. It will take place Friday from noon to midnight.
"Weapons of mass destruction are here in our own country and we have to cease fire," said Shane Price of Project Cease Fire. Price said the leading cause of death among black teens age 17 and under is gun violence.
Under the program, those turning in semi automatic pistols will be given a $75 Visa gift card, and those with revolvers to hand over will receive $50 gift cards. Those are the two kinds of guns most often associated with street violence.
Police Chief William McManus was on hand for the kick-off and said those turning in guns need not fear law enforcement. "There's absolutely no one who will turn in a gun who will be fingerprinted, ID'd or questioned."
McManus added, "For every gun not turned in there's a possibility a life that will be lost on the street."
Community activist Spike Moss spoke directly to young people in attendance telling them, "you must get into their face. You must tell them enough is enough."
Several people who lost loved ones to gun fire were also in attendance. Anita Penn told how her son was walking home, was struck by gun fire and killed. Carl Moore talked about how his honor roll daughter was at a party and was hit by stray gunfire. "She got struck in the neck and now she's a quadriplegic."
The money for the buy-back program is being put up by the Minneapolis Foundation Project.
Organizers have asked the news media to stay away from the two locations where guns will be turned in so as not to deter those coming forward.
Friday, from noon to midnight, guns can be turned in at the old Broadway Rental building at 2101 West Broadway in north Minneapolis.
Then Saturday, again from noon to midnight, guns can be turned in at Urban Ventures located at 3041 4th Avenue South.