this post was submitted on 01 Jan 2025
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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.

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[–] [email protected] 75 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (4 children)

Gun buyback programs without guns being banned are a completely pointless endeavour.

[–] [email protected] 58 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (2 children)

It says "functional firearms". What guns are old, functional, and junk?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Cheap revolvers, guns with uncommon calibers, and guns with lots of rust/cosmetic damage that technically still work.

The gun deals subreddit has occasional super cheap sales on assorted guns that work but nobody wants.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

I've heard of people going out and buying brand new cheap guns and selling them back to the state the same day for a profit.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Wait there's a gun selling subreddit, but the alcohol one was banned?

Typical

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

A pipe gun is a functional firearm. They are literally made from junk.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

Pipe guns have been around forever, so I'm sure old ones exist.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 2 months ago (1 children)

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!

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Do they still accept single shot 3d printed guns?

Tangentially related having the 3d model of a 3d printable gun is illegal here in australia.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 months ago

Even if you design it yourself completely from scratch?

Reminds me of this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_number#Illegal_primes

Information should be free.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months 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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago (2 children)

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(TM) 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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

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

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[–] [email protected] 25 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Aren't there any guns cheaper than a PS5? This is peak cobra effect.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

Do you want cobras?? This is how you get cobras!!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

I've consistently seen buybacks trolled with 3d printed liberators and four winds shotguns.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 months ago

If turning in a gun with a silencer, do we get a PS5 Pro?

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 months ago

“We sure wouldn’t want those people who can’t afford PlayStations to be armed”

  • Ronald Reagan, probably
[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So if I hand in a Playstation I get a gun, or the other way round?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

That's what they're doing quite successfully, so I'm sure you could arrange it.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Critics argue buybacks have limited impact on crime

Australia kinda single handedly proves that wrong, but okay...

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

There's an important difference: its harder to get guns in Australia.

In the US, people can just trade in a shitty gun and then go to a Walmart and buy more guns.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Australian "buybacks" were a confiscation. Lipstick on a pig.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 months ago

"Traded my gun for a Playstation. The gameplay and balance are much better, with cool powerups and ability to respawn. But graphics aren't as realistic"

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Hi-point 9mm handguns can be obtained for under $200

Edit: this is actually a really bad idea because those guns are going to be ghosted, sold, then used for serious violent come.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Title makes it seem like I can give up my PS5 to get a gun, not the other way around.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

That’s how I read it as well.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

I'm sure that can also be arranged.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago (1 children)

But video games cause violence

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

Circle of life, man.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

What can someone get for trading a truck?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Do I get games for trading in ammo?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah, but the exchange rate is awful.

We're talking tonnage just for a AA game.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago
[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

If I dont like the games, can I return the PS5 and get the gun back?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It would be unintentionally hilarious if we actually managed real gun control by convincing people to trade in guns for video games.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

They just need to gachafy it. One gun = one pull. Then people won't stop after one gun. They'll trade in all their guns and start stealing guns from their neighbours.

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