Bucks County Community Swaps Gift Cards For Firearms
By Brad Segall
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, Pa (CBS) -- On the heels of a successful gun buyback program three years ago, a Bucks County community is again offering supermarket gift cards in exchange for firearms.
Bristol Township is using $25,000 in casino grant revenue to try to make the streets of the community safer. Every Tuesday and Thursday until the funds are exhausted -- people with unwanted guns can bring them to the township administration building and receive a gift card.
Police Chief James McAndrew says it's way to reduce crime and gun violence.
"We have had some homicides," he says. "We have had guns pulled on our officers, we've had to call out our SWAT team on occasion."
Police will give $50 for a rifle, $75 dollars for a handgun and $100 for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon.
"To get a rifle off the street is less important than to get a revolver," McAndrew says. "Because a revolver or a handgun can be easily hidden and concealed on the body."
Police will accept the guns anonymously, no questions asked. Last time, the program took nearly 300 guns off the streets.
