DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Proposed Voluntary Gun Buyback Program
SUMMARY:
Discussion of proposed voluntary gun buyback program as requested by Councilwoman Andrews-Sullivan and Councilman Courage
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On August 21, 2019, Council members Jada Andrews-Sullivan and John Courage submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) requesting City staff consider the development and implementation of a voluntary gun buyback in the City of San Antonio. The purpose of the program will be for the City to safely purchase privately owned firearms in an effort to reduce the number of weapons in the City. The CCR suggests the use of the City’s Asset Forfeiture Funds as the funding source for the first year of operation (FY 2020) of the program. The CCR also suggests that the program should allow individuals to anonymously turn in firearms without fear of legal repercussions while also developing a public awareness campaign to appeal to residents in communities with a high concentration of gun violence. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to reduce gun violence by reducing the number of firearms in the community.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends moving this CCR to the Public Safety Committee for further discussion on this request and other possible alternatives in October 2019.