Do gun buyback programs work?

[Bruce]

In a Newsday (a Long Island / New York newspaper) headline, reporter Ann Givens asks the question: "Do gun buyback programs work?"

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/cr...,6150073.story

Quote: "It was Nassau's first gun buyback in 20 years, and by the end of that December day, police had taken in 424 handguns and shotguns at four churches - such an unexpectedly large number that they burned through the $50,000 officials had allocated and had to issue IOUs."

Quote: "Some experts also said allowing criminals to sell worthless guns for a good price might have put money in their pockets for more or better weapons."

A Nassau County police lieutenant seems to insist (and I paraphrase) that getting handguns, *any* handguns, away from civilians will increase *public safety*.

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Personally, I think the idea of buying an armload of brand new Hi-Point .380s for roughly $85.00 a pop then 'turning them in' amnesty-style to a buyback program for $200.00 each seems quite profitable (but not for Nassau County tax payers, of course)!

Any comments?
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