Olympia Police Chief Rich Allen reported a total of 111 guns surrendered to the department since the launch of the gun buy-back program in August last year when he spoke at Tuesday's Olympia City Council meeting and updated the public on the program.
In December, the city council allocated $15,000 in funds to incentivize the program, so community members who volunteered to surrender the firearms they had would get a gift card.
Allen reported that 77 of the guns surrendered through the program were from the police’s buyback event held on January 31.
According to Allen, the majority of weapons they collected did not appear to be functional and did not appear to be worth $200. He said the 3D-printed gun, made of plastic material and worth $10, and a BB gun "slipped in under the radar."
"We were not scrutinizing them and not checking for functionality," Allen explained.
Of those 77, Allen added, 44 are rifles; 27 handguns; two 3D printed guns; three Black Powder rifles; one realistic BB gun.
The OPD issued 75 $200 gift cards to each of the program participants.
The police chief said 25 gift cards went to participants in Olympia; 16 to Thurston County; 21 to South Sound (Lakewood, Centralia, Chehalis, Cinebar, Spanaway, Tacoma); and 13 undisclosed.
"It would be my recommendation that we lower to $100 for each weapon turned in," Allen added.
If the city council allocated $15,000 anew, Allen said they would have 150 gift cards to give out, equaling 150 guns turned in.
If the city opted to do the program again, Allen also recommended limiting certain gun types. He explained that some agencies that run gun buy-back events have seen people turning in the 3D-printed gun for a gift card worth $100 or $200. "It is a moneymaker for them."
Allen said OPD would take firearms that anyone turns in. But in terms of incentivizing, they might consider limiting the participants to city or county residents. He asked for the city council's input on that.
Councilmember Lisa Parshley said she is inclined to include incentivizing people from the county.
"People can go across the borders into the county, and the fewer guns in the county will make me more comfortable,” Parshley shared.
Councilmember Dontae Payne agreed with Parshley and said Olympia's efforts could be shared with Washington cities and may inspire them to take similar action.
Payne said that that approach could address border issues if counties and cities implemented similar measures.
"When we have these mass shootings that happen around the country, local governments are struggling with what we can do because we have so many restrictions by state law," Payne noted.
According to Allen, other municipalities and an agency from King County have contacted them and inquired about the gun buy-back program because they are also planning to hold one.
Councilmember Dani Madrone is open to the idea of the program's phase 2 and finding funds outside the council's goal fund.
Olympia City Manager Jay Burney said he would look at the year-end balance to fund the program's second phase for this year.
For 2024 budget deliberations, Burney added that they would find a way to get the program into the regular budget process.
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
JW
I was hoping someone would slip through a 3D printed gun like the genius in California who sold 20+ of them to the police department. Buybacks are nothing but feel good actions intended to make politicians warm and fuzzy. $15,000 for what? Do they seriously think anyone willing to commit a crime with a firearm would go turn it in?
I suppose we could consider it akin to a tax return with money being returned to the pockets of some local taxpayers that were looking to cull their gun collection of some inoperative and worthless pieces.
Thursday, April 13, 2023 Report this
Deskandchairs
JW
Well said. These feel good politicians just got fleeced and apparently are in denial about it, give the proposed additional initiative.
Thursday, April 13, 2023 Report this
BardsEyeNews
Surrender my ability to resist an oppressive government or mob at my door? For $200? I have about $3k in just my Rifle. You can't even by a good airsoft gun for $200... Not that any amount of money would be incentive enough to surrender my ability to enact the rights given in either our Declaration of Independence or our Constitution. It's a right to bear arms... not sporting goods or recreational items. No... I don't need them for hunting. They are for war.
Thursday, April 13, 2023 Report this
RetiredPoliceChief
By default, Parshley admits she cannot hold a leadership position in city government on topics in which she has no background. In 2020, with regard to defunding the police, she stated, "I’m white, so it would be difficult for me to say what to do". So, how can she possible know what position to take on gun safety strategies when she does not identify as a gun owner? She needs to stick to giving advice on vet services.
https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article243314796.html
Thursday, April 13, 2023 Report this
WayTooOld
I see the buyback as not about feeling warm and fuzzy, but about attempting to make sure that guns being resold anyway end up in the hands of police and not those of lawbreakers looking for a deal on a weapon.
3-D printed guns should absolutely not be eligible under this program, for the reasons stated above.
Friday, April 14, 2023 Report this
Seth682
Why is it called a gun “buy back.” Did the government own the guns in the first place? If not how are they buying them back? If you have unwanted firearms sell them to me I can do better than a $100 gift card.
Friday, April 14, 2023 Report this