Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Safer Communities fund backs Disarmory Ministries gun‑buyback; commissioners vote 5–1 to allocate $10,000
Summary
The Board’s Safer Communities ad hoc committee recommended a $10,000 allocation to Disarmory Ministries for a countywide campaign to collect and destroy unwanted firearms; commissioners voted 5–1 after discussion of law‑enforcement coordination and serial‑number checks.
The Oakland County Safer Communities ad hoc committee recommended and the Board approved a $10,000 allocation on May 27 to Disarmory Ministries to expand a gun‑buyback and firearm‑destruction program that collects unwanted firearms and destroys them on‑site.
Father Chris Yap (representing Disarmory Ministries) described weekend collection events in Berkley that accept unwanted firearms, which are cut apart with specialized saws and destroyed. He said the program has taken hundreds of firearms during recent weekends and identified examples where donors turned in firearms that had been stored for decades, were linked to suicide, or were turned in by law‑enforcement personnel who did not want weapons in their property rooms.
Why it matters: presenters and the Safer Communities committee spoke about reducing suicide risk and the number of firearms that can be stolen, lost or misused in the community. Disarmory said the program’s goals include changing disposal habits and making a safe, convenient disposal option available to residents.
Questions and safeguards discussed: commissioners raised questions about law‑enforcement coordination, ballistic or serial‑number checks and potential evidentiary concerns if a firearm provided had been used in a crime. Father Yap said program staff record serial numbers and provide that information to local law enforcement for upload to state databases; he said experienced staff and former law‑enforcement personnel participate in processing donated firearms. Committee members said corporate counsel had reviewed the program materials and that the final allocation was contingent on any additional review requested by counsel.
Vote and outcome: the board voted 5 yeas and 1 nay to approve the $10,000 allocation for the Disarmory outreach and destruction campaign. Committee members and the under‑sheriff indicated law enforcement supports the effort and will coordinate on serial‑number checks and referrals.
Ending: Disarmory urged broader publicity and local bulletin‑board outreach so more residents know of the safe‑disposal option; commissioners asked staff to confirm any outstanding legal questions with corporate counsel as a final step.
