NCJ Number
181899
Date Published
1999
Length
26 pages
Annotation
After outlining the benefits and disadvantages of gun exchange programs, seven examples of effective exchange programs are provided, along with a few examples of nontraditional exchange programs and a copy of "Gifts for Guns," a guide to organizing a gun exchange program in a community.
Abstract
Benefits of gun exchange programs include the removal of tens of thousands of guns from homes, voluntary attempts by citizens and communities to reduce gun violence, no requirement for legislation or lobbying, prevention of violence, the use of incentives other than money in exchange for a firearm, the incorporation of more private money, and community-wide fundraising. Some criticisms of gun programs are that they are not cost-effective, participants can use the money obtained in an exchange to purchase "bigger and better" guns, often include amnesty and no testing to determine if a gun was used in a crime or was stolen, and they recover only a small percentage of all guns owned. Another criticism is that exchange programs have not been accompanied by adequate research and evaluation. The information on the seven effective exchange programs addresses the time period, the number and types of guns collected, compensation, additional descriptive information, and a contact person. This booklet concludes with information on the planning and implementation of a gun exchange program in a community.