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Council asks staff to research gun buybacks after residents cite local shootings
Summary
A resident urged the council to pursue a gun buyback to reduce local gun violence; the council asked Sam to research costs and successful examples, while some members cautioned buybacks work only in limited circumstances.
A resident in public comment urged the Wilkes-Barre City Council to act on gun violence and proposed a local gun-buyback program. "The only solution as I see it is a gun buyback," the commenter said, citing recent shooting incidents and robberies and asking whether the city could lawfully pursue a buyback through the police department.
Council members asked for research into whether buybacks have been effective elsewhere, how much they cost and how many firearms were taken in successful programs. One council member said buybacks are likely to help only in specific situations — for example, when senior residents want to remove a firearm from the home — and cautioned that criminals are unlikely to turn in weapons for cash.
The council assigned Sam to compile examples of successful buyback programs, costs, and outcome data so the council can consider whether to convene further discussion or pursue a local pilot. No ordinance or budget action was taken at the meeting.
