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Summit program to buy back guns planned
Church leader helps set up Goods for Guns to reduce area violence
By Carl Chancellor Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007
It has been nearly a decade and a half since the last gun-buyback program, but with gun violence seemingly on the rise in Akron and Summit County, something needed to be done.
That was the impetus behind Goods For Guns, said the Rev. Marc Neal during a Tuesday news conference to announce the gun-reduction initiative.
''In 2006, there were 675 firearms used in crimes and 1,294 (emergency) 911 calls for 'shots fired,''' Neal said, quoting Akron Police Department statistics.
''As community leaders we must promote safety. The possession of guns increases the risk of tragedy,'' Neal said.
Not if responsible law abiding people have them!
Believing something needed to be done to get illegal guns off the streets, Neal approached the Akron Police Department and the Summit County's Sheriff's and Prosecutor's offices, with the gun buyback idea.
On Dec. 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, Summit County residents can turn in guns, legal or illegal, for vouchers that can be exchanged for a wide assortment of goods from tennis shoes to gift cards for groceries at two church locations. The vouchers will be valued at a minimum of $100.
What if people actually bring in nice guns. Aren't they being ripped off? But I guess people have to take responsibility for their own actions, so, if they don't know what the gun is worth, it's their own faultif they getscrewed over.
Akron Police Chief Michael Matulavich, one of several law enforcement officials at the news conference, noted that more young people are being arrested with guns.
''As violence from guns escalates, the ages of the offenders is decreasing,'' Matulavich said. He noted that many of the young offenders are associated with street gangs.
According to Matulavich, the last gun-buyback program, which was done in conjunction with Akron's Catholic Commission in 1994, took in more than 500 guns.
''I'm optimistic and hoping for the best,'' Matulavich answered when asked how many guns he expected to be exchanged this time around.
''But if we just get one gun,'' the chief said, ''that is one less gun on the street.''
Goods for Guns will be a ''no questions'' asked program. People person bringing in guns won't be asked to identify themselves.
''This program will allow people to turn firearms they have in their possession over to law enforcement with no questions asked,'' said Neal, who pastors Jerusalem Baptist Church.
Once the guns are collected by an on-site police officer, the weapons will be sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation for processing. Guns that aren't connected to a crime will be properly destroyed.
One of the buyback program's organizers, Chris Dennis with Ryden Enterprise, said similar programs in other cities have taken hundreds of guns off the streets. His company is providing financing to help in the purchase of goods.
Steve Finical, an assistant Summit County sheriff, said that additional corporate sponsors and individuals still are being sought. Donations can be made through the county's nonprofit Crimestoppers program, which allows a tax deduction for donations.
''No one is exempt from gun violence,'' said Finical, pointing out that guns in the wrong hands put everyone at risk. I bolded that last part. He is exactly right! Don't blame the guns, hold the criminals responsible.
Guns will be collected at both east and west side Akron locations of Jerusalem Baptist 270 E. Wilbeth Road and 1225 Vernon Odom Blvd.
For more information, contact the sheriff's office at 330-643-2112.
http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/10908996.html?page=1&c=y
Summit program to buy back guns planned
Church leader helps set up Goods for Guns to reduce area violence
By Carl Chancellor Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007
It has been nearly a decade and a half since the last gun-buyback program, but with gun violence seemingly on the rise in Akron and Summit County, something needed to be done.
That was the impetus behind Goods For Guns, said the Rev. Marc Neal during a Tuesday news conference to announce the gun-reduction initiative.
''In 2006, there were 675 firearms used in crimes and 1,294 (emergency) 911 calls for 'shots fired,''' Neal said, quoting Akron Police Department statistics.
''As community leaders we must promote safety. The possession of guns increases the risk of tragedy,'' Neal said.
Not if responsible law abiding people have them!
Believing something needed to be done to get illegal guns off the streets, Neal approached the Akron Police Department and the Summit County's Sheriff's and Prosecutor's offices, with the gun buyback idea.
On Dec. 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, Summit County residents can turn in guns, legal or illegal, for vouchers that can be exchanged for a wide assortment of goods from tennis shoes to gift cards for groceries at two church locations. The vouchers will be valued at a minimum of $100.
What if people actually bring in nice guns. Aren't they being ripped off? But I guess people have to take responsibility for their own actions, so, if they don't know what the gun is worth, it's their own faultif they getscrewed over.
Akron Police Chief Michael Matulavich, one of several law enforcement officials at the news conference, noted that more young people are being arrested with guns.
''As violence from guns escalates, the ages of the offenders is decreasing,'' Matulavich said. He noted that many of the young offenders are associated with street gangs.
According to Matulavich, the last gun-buyback program, which was done in conjunction with Akron's Catholic Commission in 1994, took in more than 500 guns.
''I'm optimistic and hoping for the best,'' Matulavich answered when asked how many guns he expected to be exchanged this time around.
''But if we just get one gun,'' the chief said, ''that is one less gun on the street.''
Goods for Guns will be a ''no questions'' asked program. People person bringing in guns won't be asked to identify themselves.
''This program will allow people to turn firearms they have in their possession over to law enforcement with no questions asked,'' said Neal, who pastors Jerusalem Baptist Church.
Once the guns are collected by an on-site police officer, the weapons will be sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation for processing. Guns that aren't connected to a crime will be properly destroyed.
One of the buyback program's organizers, Chris Dennis with Ryden Enterprise, said similar programs in other cities have taken hundreds of guns off the streets. His company is providing financing to help in the purchase of goods.
Steve Finical, an assistant Summit County sheriff, said that additional corporate sponsors and individuals still are being sought. Donations can be made through the county's nonprofit Crimestoppers program, which allows a tax deduction for donations.
''No one is exempt from gun violence,'' said Finical, pointing out that guns in the wrong hands put everyone at risk. I bolded that last part. He is exactly right! Don't blame the guns, hold the criminals responsible.
Guns will be collected at both east and west side Akron locations of Jerusalem Baptist 270 E. Wilbeth Road and 1225 Vernon Odom Blvd.
For more information, contact the sheriff's office at 330-643-2112.
http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/10908996.html?page=1&c=y