Leave it to enterprising Americans to always find a loophole in the midst of ever-expanding government regulation.
While thousands of Seattle residents lined up for hours to trade their handguns, rifles and family heirlooms away in exchange for up to $200 in gift cards as part of the city’s latest gun buyback program, gun collectors who have seen prices for assault rifles and firearms accessories almost triple since November took advantage of a huge opportunity.
Police stood in awe as gun enthusiasts and collectors waved wads of cash for the guns being held by those standing in line for the buyback program.
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Police officers in Seattle, Washington held their first gun buyback program in 20 years this weekend, underneath interstate 5, and soon found that private gun collectors were working the large crowd as little makeshift gun shows began dotting the parking lot and sidewalks.
Some even had “cash for guns” signs prominently displayed.
People that had arrived to trade in their weapons for $100 or $200 BuyBack gift cards($100 for handguns, shotguns and rifles, and $200 for assault weapons) soon realized that gun collectors were there and paying top dollar for collectible firearms. So, as the line for the chump cards got longer and longer people began to jump ship and head over to the dealers.
John Diaz, Seattles Police Chief, wasn’t pleased with the turn of events stating “I’d prefer they wouldn’t sell them,” but admitted it’s perfectly legal for private individuals to buy and sell guns, FOR NOW. Mayor Mike McGinn said at a news conference the private transactions are a loophole that needs to be closed. “There’s no background checks, and some (guns) could be exchanged on the streets that shouldn’t be in circulation.”
But Schuyler Taylor, a previous gun retailer attending the event in hopes of buying weapons, asked “Why not offer them cash versus a gift card? I’m still taking the guns off the streets; they’re just going in my safe.”
I saw a picture of one tub with what looked like a Browning BLR (coulda been a BL-22) and a Model 12 with at least a 28" barrel. I wish I would’ve been there to pick those up for $100 each. Idiots.
I wish I still worked in Seattle! That was good thinking.
Let me guess, the people with nice guns sold for several hundred dollars cold cash to civilans, while the ones with broken or zinc alloy guns sold for $100 gift card to SPD? Sounds like a win-win-LOSE! Love it.
Why the attitude? No one is being forced or coerced to sell their firearms. If folks want to get rid of their firearms, so be it. Better they should turn them in to the cops then the guns end up in the hands of a bunch of dirtbags.
They are purchasing them with funds taken by the threat of force from other citizens. If they want to turn them in, fine, but don’t take money out of someone else’s pockets to further your agenda by redistributing wealth that’s not yours to give.
This. Any anti gun PD should have to sell off their equipment and do without if their attitude is that average citizens should. Being anti gun as a cop is the most unforgivable form of bastardism there is.
