Gun buyback program is "crazy", says Mayor at news conference

A man standing outside a weapons buyback event in Seattle on Saturday bought a missile launcher for $100 from another person, reports SeattlePI.com.

As a controlled military item, the missile launcher is not available to civilians through any surplus or disposal programs.

The military weapon was a single-use device and had already been used. The weapon was confiscated by police, and they replaced it with a gift card.

Police said the missile launcher was taken to determine what exactly it was and that the non-functioning weapon could be later returned to the man.

Army spokesman Joe Kubistek said today: “Once it’s brought on base and investigators have a chance to look at it, they’ll see what they can determine. It’s too early to give any information on it until we have hands-on access to see it and take a look at it.”

The man who bought the missle launcher was among <strong>many people who were at the gun buyback offering money to people for guns.</strong>

Police officers saw guns changing private hands without the seller knowing whether the buyer had the legal right to buy it, said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn.

Mayor McGinn said at a news conference on Monday: “It was absolutely crazy what we saw out there.”

<strong>Mayor McGinn added that the private sales of the missile launcher and other weapons show the need for comprehensive background checks as proposed by President Obama.</strong>

Deputy Chief of Police Nick Metz said: “These are very dangerous weapons. They may not have looked very pretty, but [they’re] definitely operable.”

The firearms collected at the event included 348 pistols, 364 rifles and three shotguns that include a high capacity magazine capable of holding twelve 12-gauge shotgun shells.

The program allowed people to anonymously turn in their weapons for a shopping gift cards up to $200. The program handed out $80,000 worth of gift cards.

Story at http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/guns/man-buys-missile-launcher-du...