Posted on 08/14/2009 7:03:29 PM PDT by greatdefender
While a teen struggles to survive a shooting, the city tries to get guns off the streets. But do gun turn-in programs really work? Taccara Swain, 15, was shot in the head three times Wednesday night. Police say she is an innocent victim who was trying to shield a young relative from the bullets.
It's this kind of tragedy the city of Chicago is trying to stop with a gun turn-in program this weekend. But are events like that effective? CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports that the continuing carnage in our streets suggests otherwise.
That 15-year old was reportedly caught in gang crossfire. As long as gangs control hundreds of millions of dollars by selling illegal narcotics here, they'll always be able to buy big firepower.
Illinois Gun Works Owner Don Mastrianni claims that Chicago's program to clear its street of guns by offering to buy them and melt them down has probably not prevented even one killing.
"Criminals aren't going to bring in their guns," Mastrianni said.
When asked if any murders have been prevented, Mastrianni said, "No. Not at all. Not in the least."
Mayor Daley today announced a new version of his long-running gun-buying program. This weekend, those who turn in weapons will receive debit cards worth up to $100 in exchange for an assault-type weapon.
"Now think of that. Here's the mayor of the city of Chicago asking people to turn in assault weapons," Mayor Daley said. "We're not in Iraq. We're not in Afghanistan. We're in America. We're asking 'em to turn in assault weapons. What do we need an assault weapon in America for?"
Among those who doubt that Daley's decades of gun-control efforts have made Chicagoans any safer: a police officer. He talked to CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman at the scene of yesterday's gang crossfire that left an innocent 15-year old girl critically wounded.
When asked if gun control would keep guns away, Officer David Montgomery said, "No, 'cause the underground market. You can always get the guns. There's the underground market out there. What can you do about it?"
One thing not worth doing, according to Mastrianni, is buying old weapons off the street.
"They're not really solving any crimes, and they're not really preventing anything. They may think they are. And I feel for them, because I believe they're frustrated," Mastrianni said.
Frustrated doesn't begin to describe Daley's mood in the face of all the gun violence. He bragged today that, since 2005, the city's gun-buying program has led to the destruction of more than 18,000 guns. Still, that's small comfort to the thousands of Chicagoans who continue to get shot each year.
@$$hole!
what are they fittin’ to have some townhalls there soon?
How much are they payin and how cheap can I make em?
The law abiding citizens would probably feel more comfortable if they had their own guns to protect themselves from crimminals and over-reaching politicians (redundant; I know).
I really wish they would have MANDATORY gun safety classes (taught by the NRA, not Sarah Brady) in the schools starting in the 4th grade. Teach children to respect guns. Of course allowing prayer and instilling morality instead of trying to push sexual deviancy, abortion as birth control, and multi-cultruralism might go a long way in getting people to respect life.
But, its better to continue the same failed programs and complain...... makes it easier to show entitlement.
Anything above a BB gun is welcome. LOL!
Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.
Think of the love & harmony that will result with such a simple idea! Unemployment will decrease to 0%! Crime - 0%! Drug Abuse - zero zero zero!
Such a simple answer. And I'll never believe those hideous conservative-Hitlers who say that to lock up the criminals of a predominantly black population of a liberal-run city such as Chicago. After all, criminals don't use guns in the commission of crime. Anybody knows that.
/sarc (as if that's necessary)
Exactly.
But once they get hip to that, they'll probably make you prove you were gonna kill somebody before they give you a cent.
Hand..Have faith. The people are starting to figger it out. They are not as aware as us. I takes time. We will end up doing the right thing. We always do. We have a Constitution that is the envy of the World and the Enemy of TYRANTS.
This is a photo-op for Daley and the cardboard police chiefs to show a table full of rusty old cast-offs (hint: less than $100) turned in by hungry tenants. Don't you feel safer now, Chicago? The gangs and druggies are laughing.
cash for clunkers...
I love that! Can I use it?
Exactly!
The dumb asses in Dallas and Fort worth are doing the same thing tomorrow. Boy, what a coincidence? Same day after same magic results?
They are supposed to offer $50 for each “functional” weapon.
Looks like they need some cash for Deer season. Those leases down here are expensive......
Great! I could stand to purchase a few more guns.
Oh wait, that’s not what he meant....
Daley couldn’t tell an assault weapon from dictionary.
Daley couldn’t tell an assault weapon from a dictionary.
I’d go sell the gov my .357 and use it as a down payment on a Mac-10.
Sure.
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