At Bensalem Turn In, only two of 586 firearms were stolen

Gun Watch ^ | 5 March, 2013 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

A screenshot of guns collected at Bensalem Township's gun buyback events. Credit Bensalem Township

The Bensalem Patch notes that only two of 586 firearms turned in at the two recent turn in events were identified as stolen.

From the Bensalem Patch:

Nearly 600 firearms, two of which were stolen, were collected at Bensalem Township's anonymous gun buyback events held in February, according to the police department.

Sgt. Andrew Aninsman claims that the program was conducted without cost to the taxpayers:

"Over the course of two days we received 586 firearms at no cost to taxpayers," Sgt. Andrew Aninsman said. Cash was given to those who brought in guns, but the money was supplied by the Federal Drug Forfeiture, Aninsman said.

But, this is misdirection, of course, because the money could have been used for another purpose to reduce taxpayer costs, rather than to create political theater to demonize gun ownership and armed citizens.

The picture of the box of handguns shows the usual mixture of junk and nice items.

At Bensalem, civic minded gun enthusiasts offered an alternative to individuals who wanted to get a better deal for their unwanted heirlooms.

From myfoxphilly.com:

Township officials offered between $50 and $200 for each weapon. They say they hope the buyback will reduce gun violence in the township.

Outside, a group of gun advocates set up a table offering a better price to people carrying high-quality weapons.

"As responsible gun owners we're concerned that some worthy, quality firearms might be turned in and destined for destruction and our objective is to save them from destruction," said gun advocate Rob Pepe.

Constitutional rights advocates across the nation are offering alternatives to these misnamed "buybacks", as the government never owned these guns in the first place.

At least one turn in effort joined Constitutional rights and anti-gun forces in an effort to remove unwanted guns from homes, sell them to responsible people, and use the proceeds for charity.

Falmouth Maine program raises money for special Olympics

The Maine program may be the future of turn in events for the country.

Link to Bensalem Patch

Link to myfoxphilly.com

Link: Falmouth Maine program raises money for special Olympics

©2013 by Dean Weingarten Permission to share granted as long as this notice is included.

[marktwain]

Links work at the site. The small number of stolen firearms is interesting information for those interested at purchasing firearms at such events. In the box, I see what might be a 1921 FN .380, an AR-7 variant, and a High Standard Sentinal revolver. Perhaps others can be identified.

[cableguymn]

I might have missed it as I am on my phone. The 2 stolen guns where returned to their owners right?

[marktwain]

The 2 stolen guns where returned to their owners right?

I would hope so, but the article did not say.

[Above My Pay Grade]

>>>”Over the course of two days we received 586 firearms at no cost to taxpayers,” Sgt. Andrew Aninsman said. Cash was given to those who brought in guns, but the money was supplied by the Federal Drug Forfeiture, Aninsman said.<<<

The “no cost to the taxpayers” comment is nonsense. The Federal Drug Forfeitrue money could have been used for some other purpose.

Now, when the guns are sold to the private individuals outside these Voluntary Confiscations, there truly is no cost to the taxpayers and those turning them in get a better deal.

Think about the positive, ecomonic impact of the purchases outside the Voluntary Confiscations. The people selling them, get more money than they would inside at the turn in, giving them more spending money that goes out into the economy. The buyers will likely resell them for a profit, to other law abiding citizens, further stimulating the economy and generating sales taxes for the state. Plus, the taxpayers or charities save money as they do not pay for the guns.

Even in places where offering to buy the guns about to be turned in for destruction is not legal, I’d love to see gun enthusiasts and gun rights activists offer to do free appraisals. I’m sure a lot of people would sell them at a gun shop or show, if they knew how much they were worth.

[rarestia]

The barrel and receiver in the lower left of the picture is from a Henry Survival .22LR. It’s a breakdown rifle that fits into a plastic housing which acts as the stock. It’s a neat little plinking rifle and has a place in my bug-out bag and my boating kit.

[bgill]

But, this is misdirection, of course, because the money could have been used for another purpose to reduce taxpayer costs

And the time wasted organizing it could have been put to better use as well as them taking however many officers off the street.

[cableguymn]

I would say since the story does not say. The answer is the owners are still looking for their lost firearms.