College Park approves gun buyback day

City leaders in College Park voted on Tuesday to hold a gun buyback day. The city has dedicated $20,000 for the program.
 
Councilman Joe Carn says he first suggested the gun buyback program in November -- before the mass shootings in Newtown Connecticut. But he says after so many lives were lost at Sandy Hook Elementary, he was more determined than ever to have a gun buyback day.

"We're an urban city. We've got gun issues; we've got some crime issues. With this buyback, hopefully we will have a few less crime issues," said Carn.

Carn said that the city would offer $100 for a handgun, $150 for assault rifles with no questions asked.

College Park Police Chief Ronald Fears said had expectations for the program.

"I'm hoping for a lot of people to turn in the guns. If nothing else, to  raise the consciousness of our citizens about guns," said Fears.

The gun buyback day has been set for Feb. 9. All the weapons will be run through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation database to see if they were ever stolen or used in a crime. They will then be destroyed.