Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer has a signed a bill into law that prohibits the destruction of guns obtained through state buy-back programs.
Under this new bill, effective this summer, it will be against the law for Arizona cities, towns and law enforcement agencies to destroy any firearms the receive through voluntary programs or any that are seized.
Opinions vary regarding the effectivenesof state buy-back programs with Hildy Saizow, the president of Arizonans for Gun Safety, expressing concerns that this new law will put more guns on the street making Arizona communities less safe. On the flip-side, Joe Clure, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, is saying that the buy-backs “Make people feel good, but they do nothing to reduce violence on the street. The reality of the matter is gun buybacks are doing zero percent for public safety.”
Either way, the bill is expected to put an end to gun buyback programs in the state and the City of Phoenix is expecting their gun buyback event this month to be the largest in the state’s history as individuals turn over firearms for destruction before the law goes into effect. The event will take place on three consecutive Saturdays – May 4, May 11 and May 18. Those interested can go here for more information about the buyback event: http://phoenix.gov/police/gunbuyback2013.html.
You can watch a news clip below from local CBS affiliate KPHO CBS5AZ.com:
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