Summary

New Orleans’ gun buyback program, organized by nonprofit Unchained Realities, offers PlayStation 5 consoles in exchange for functional firearms.

Aimed at improving public safety amid Louisiana’s looser gun laws, the initiative collected 94 guns over six months.

The program ties gun removal to youth engagement by promoting gaming education and career pathways.

Critics argue buybacks have limited impact on crime, but organizers emphasize community engagement and believe even small successes, like preventing one crime, make a difference.

Louisiana’s relaxed gun laws and stricter sentencing have intensified debates on public safety strategies.

    • Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      59
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      6 days ago

      They’re a great way to sell old junk guns for way more than they’re worth. Then use that money to buy more/better guns.

    • Pogogunner@sopuli.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      28
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      7 days ago

      I disagree, they are a fantastic stimulus program for amateur gunsmiths to make their first shotguns. Or if you prefer professionally made guns, you can offer cash (or PlayStations, I guess) to people who are waiting in line and get a fantastic deal!

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      17
      arrow-down
      4
      ·
      7 days ago

      I’m not totally against them. I feel like if you’re willing to trade a gun for a Playstation, maybe that’s one extra gun we don’t need lying around. If nothing else, that’s one less gun some kid might stumble upon at home and accidentally shot themselves or a friend with.

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        6 days ago

        The problem is the price. If I go to the gun store then straight to the buyback tent I can get a PS5 for less than half price.

    • NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      14
      arrow-down
      9
      ·
      7 days ago

      Completely pointless? No. They reduce the ridiculous excess of guns in this country and reduce the odds of little timmy grabbing his dad’s assault rifle because the safe was too full. Or, because we pretend the real problem is black crimninals, Jamal robbing timmy’s dad and timmy’s dad never even noticing he is missing twelve glocks.

      That said: it is indeed still something that only really impacts Responsible Gun Owners™ who generally only have two or three loaded firearms laying around the house rather than twenty.

      That said: Buyback programs PLUS actual gun control would go a long way.

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        6 days ago

        Two or Three loaded guns around the house? How about zero loaded guns? That seems a bit more responsible.

      • jagged_circle@feddit.nl
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        3
        ·
        edit-2
        6 days ago

        Shouldn’t be an issue for Timmy to grab the AR because the ammo is all locked up in the safe. Guns are big. Ammo is small and easy to lock up.