IN:Terre Haute Gun Turn In (buyback) Misfires

Gun Watch ^ | 16 April, 2013 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

On February 19th, WTHITV reported that "Terre Haute Police and Retired Teachers of Vigo County will hold a gun buy back in April." The turn in event was to be held Saturday, April 13th.

The next day, a correction was posted. It seems some retired teachers were alarmed that their organization would be involved in such a partisan event. It became apparent that the Vigo County Retired Teachers Association was *not* sponsoring the event. The new partner with the THPD was the Vigo County's League of Women Voters.

On 10 April, members of a local forum wondered what was happening with the scheduled event. No one had heard any advertising for it. People wanted to know so that they could turn up to buy guns inexpensively, or to turn in junkers for gift cards.

On Saturday, 13 April, a member of Indiana Gun Owners observed the announced location for the turn in several times during the day, but could not detect any activity indiating that it was taking place.

A phone call to the THPD has not yet resulted in a call back to indicate what happened.

Perhaps the funding for the event never materialized. Perhaps the local activists organizing to take advantage of the event were noticed, and it was decided that the event was not worth the effort. Perhaps the organizer got sick or had a family emergency. It is worth noting that a gun show was scheduled and did take place in Terre Haute on 13 April.

A gun show is, in a sense, a free market version of a gun turn in or "buyback" event, only it makes a profit, does not waste police resources, gives market value for valuable items, and puts guns into responsible hands from those who do not want them.

Link to turn in announcement by WTHITV

Link to correction about retired tearchers association

Link to local forum discussing lack of advertising

Link showing gun show in Terre Haute 13 April

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

[marktwain]

Gun "buyback" is a propaganda term, as the guns being purchased were never owned by those doing the purchasing. Turn in is a more accurate phrase. Individuals are turning up at these events all over the country to obtain reasonably priced firearms by purchasing them privately. This also demonstrates the value of firearms. Such activity stretches the turn in event dollars and takes guns off the street and puts them into responsible hands.

[Paladin2]

High Dirt failure.