Originally Posted By: JHZR2
"Each weapon collected in Camden cost the state of New Jersey $250 at most. In all, the state spent $156,000, none of which was directly borne by taxpayers.
That may be what they say, and I hope that it's true. They also say that fuel taxes get spent only on transportation projects, and that's more often than not what's really going on.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
But as myself and others mentioned, it is often unwanted stuff, "Since the city pays $200 per gun, he claims most of the weapons the programs recover in Newark come from out-of-state residents looking to turn a profit, or older residents disposing of weapons long stowed away."
Exactly. And neither situation makes the streets of NJ (or any other state) safer. No criminal with a stolen Glock shows up at a buyback event. They use these weapons to carry out their activity; why would they get rid of them? Could this program reduce the number of personal weapons stolen during home invasions? Perhaps. I personally believe the answer to that is better firearm security, not turning them in.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I have to believe that we havent stooped quite so low as a society that massive armament and perpetual violence is the only solution here.
I don't see it as "stooping so low", but as "rising to the occasion". This country, not 250 years ago, was founded on the backs of armed people standing up for what they believed was right.
Wanting to have criminals not possess guns is fine. I'll bet the frontier Americans wanted England to just go away, too. I'm all about an idealistic society, where guns are used for shooting skeet instead of people. In just a cursory study of human history, though, I'm not sure we've EVER observed a period in time free of bloodshed. Maybe it'll happen one day.
Until it does, I'll be at home with my 12 gauge.
If NJ wants to buy grandpa's old Marlin or that 6-shooter cowboy gun in the closet and declare success, they can have at it.
Setting aside the issue of where the money comes from...regardless of where it comes from...I believe it can be spent in far better ways than buying dusty old .22s.
"Each weapon collected in Camden cost the state of New Jersey $250 at most. In all, the state spent $156,000, none of which was directly borne by taxpayers.
That may be what they say, and I hope that it's true. They also say that fuel taxes get spent only on transportation projects, and that's more often than not what's really going on.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
But as myself and others mentioned, it is often unwanted stuff, "Since the city pays $200 per gun, he claims most of the weapons the programs recover in Newark come from out-of-state residents looking to turn a profit, or older residents disposing of weapons long stowed away."
Exactly. And neither situation makes the streets of NJ (or any other state) safer. No criminal with a stolen Glock shows up at a buyback event. They use these weapons to carry out their activity; why would they get rid of them? Could this program reduce the number of personal weapons stolen during home invasions? Perhaps. I personally believe the answer to that is better firearm security, not turning them in.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I have to believe that we havent stooped quite so low as a society that massive armament and perpetual violence is the only solution here.
I don't see it as "stooping so low", but as "rising to the occasion". This country, not 250 years ago, was founded on the backs of armed people standing up for what they believed was right.
Wanting to have criminals not possess guns is fine. I'll bet the frontier Americans wanted England to just go away, too. I'm all about an idealistic society, where guns are used for shooting skeet instead of people. In just a cursory study of human history, though, I'm not sure we've EVER observed a period in time free of bloodshed. Maybe it'll happen one day.
Until it does, I'll be at home with my 12 gauge.
If NJ wants to buy grandpa's old Marlin or that 6-shooter cowboy gun in the closet and declare success, they can have at it.
