Canadians tend to think gun violence is a U.S. problem and may be shocked to learn a Toronto councillor is proposing a gun amnesty program for his own city, reports Canadian Press (CP). There has been a rash of gun violence in Canada’s largest city and on June 2 police raided about 30 locations seizing guns and drugs and making at least 20 arrests.
City councillor Giogio Mammoliti says a gun amnesty/buy-back program would provide a legal way for people to dispose of firearms without fear of prosecution. It would not apply to anyone who has used a gun while committing a crime.
Guns for cash or food
Mammoliti suggests the city offer $100 per gun or partner with a corporation like a grocery chain to offer gift cards.
In 2008, Toronto police traded digital cameras for firearms in a program called “Pixels for Pistols,” reports CP. They collected 1,900 wapons and 60,000 rounds of ammunition. Several other Canadian cities ran similar programs.
(files from Canadian Press, CBC)
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