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Nearly 500 Guns Surrendered in Baltimore After Newtown Shooting

The "Goods For Guns" initiative was planned last month and held Saturday in Baltimore—one day after a mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.

BALTIMORE, MD -- One day after a mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, Baltimore police collected more than 400 guns during the "Goods For Guns" initiative in the city.

A total of 461 guns were collected in exchange for approximately $50,000 in gift certificates to a local grocery chain, according to a release from City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young's office.

Young announced the initiative Wednesday at City Hall. On his Twitter account, Young said Saturday that planning for the program began before Thanksgiving, and that it took "a true team effort."

In a news release, Young said: "Today, I heard from a diverse array of people who just wanted to remove firearms from their homes. These people, both young and old, told me that they feared their guns winding up in the wrong hands and just wanted to avoid that possibility altogether."

Residents exchanged unwanted firearms for $100 gift certificates for Klein's ShopRite. 

Klein's ShopRite Vice President Howard Klein said, "We did something meaningful on a day when a lot of people are experiencing terrible loss and tragedy. You can’t put a price tag on an event like this and we can’t wait to do it again."

The results of the program come amid reaction to a school shooting in Newtown, CT, where reports indicate a lone gunman murdered 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School Friday morning. The gunman reportedly started the rampage by shooting his mother at the home they shared in Newtown, and ended it by shooting himself.

Follow ongoing coverage from Newtown Patch here.

The program, operated by UpLift Solutions, was modeled after a similar initiative in Philadelphia, according to the release.

Officers from the Baltimore City Police Department collected the firearms, which were transported to the Northeast District. The release said the guns will be melted down.

In Prince George's County, Laurel police collected more than 150 weapons Saturday.

Sanchez December 24, 2012 at 02:56 pm
What an amazing comment by Fifi.
"When you resort to pulling out the attack card, you lose." All these are Fifi slurring others. This MUST mean he loses every time he tries. "What a nut!" "did you take a test to be a manager of a Walgreen's? Or have you got some of the California Medical juice you have been sipping?" "Doug your ignorance is astounding." "Are you really that ignorant? Serious question." "Are you from this planet? Or did you just waken from a 100 year slumber?" "Your point is to the near absurd." "How's that for an idiotic explanation of your stupid thoughts?" "as long as idiots like you continue to espouse your nonsense." "Sadly, boy, little b emphasized" "Does that help you out boy?" "You seem to endorse the murder of first graders." "Your idiotic point is?" "Here comes Brook with his "normal" comments." "you have no clue" "Sorry Al. Are you a card carrying member of the WBC? Serious question." "Is that you crybaby that deletes their comments?" "Crybaby, your absurdity is only exceeded by Joe's idiocy" "Back to Happy Hour Buck, Chris, Frank and Joe/Sanchez who apparently is spending the unhappy weekend back in jail after being out all week on work release" "I can see Lorna in a gunfight now, the only question does she soil her panties before the bullet hits her. I'm betting on the panties."
Sanchez December 24, 2012 at 02:59 pm
More showing Fifi losing his arguments.
"God to Earth, please send kevin to me soon, he needs a lot of help." "Native, you seem to be celebrating the death of 28 people?" "I have nothing against idiots like you." "with an orifice like you" "I have seen sewage that is smarter than you." "Idiotic comment" "Do you realize how much of an complete idiot you sound like?" "Crawl back in your hole." "Pantie Girl" "Lorna the Gunslinger just scare the poop out of everyone" "Did you graduate from high school small k kevin, or were you just passed along." "Please learn how to spell small k kevin, it really makes you look stupid. Surprised? Nah." "Let's start with your Depends." "Are you see a professional? Do you wish to harm yourself or others?" " You are a fool" "I have tired of your idiocy and silly asinine points of view" "Why is it morons that defend the 2nd amendment at times?" "Lorna, I'm not going to insult you again" "but the moron aka ATC is fair game" "imbecile ATC, what grade school did you graduate from" "your irrational postings""You write like you brain is running on empty." "Your incoherent thoughts" All from just the past week or so not including today.
H.R. Pufnstuf December 24, 2012 at 03:00 pm
Corbin, I can assure you as someone buy buys guns at show that the guns are sold subject to all rules and regs for that state. Whoever wrote that WaPo article saying that you can buy fully automatic rifles at shows with no background check is on crack, for real.
Sanchez December 24, 2012 at 03:05 pm
Have a merry Christmas Fifi and I hope Santa brings you a soul and civility toward your fellow man and stops leaving that bitterness in your stocking hung on the fireplace.
BadStatistics December 24, 2012 at 03:13 pm
1ke. I approve of your message.
Sanchez December 24, 2012 at 03:16 pm
We in Martyland are "represented" by many socialists who hat not only the firearms but those who own them. Do you really believe they will listen to us?
AG December 24, 2012 at 03:26 pm
The dictionary definition of liberal and conservative have nothing to do with their current incarnation in politics. In addition, for both liberal and conservative (especially conservative) there is a broad spectrum of beliefs. For example, look at the difference between Geo Bush style conservatives vs Ron Paul style conservatives.
In this forum, conservatives use words like despicable to describe those of the other side. But the liberals use terms like KKK, trailer park, hitler, or tin foil hats.
Sanchez December 24, 2012 at 03:35 pm
1ke, abusive speech? Does this qualify?
"I think I'd better check the water supply in the bunker because glasnost was yesterday's cornflakes, bay-bee!" "Look at your sorry self dance. Stumbling. Fumbling. Passive aggressive. Do you study history much or snuggle up with end-times, fascist websites?" "Then, you could write your next screed about quadroons and octoroons and further explore your fraction skills. Really ignorant, Lorna." "Everybody else is stupid and you are smart." "I'd rather have a home invasion than a door-to-door visit from one of this crowd. Why has it taken so long for these goofballs to out like this?" "Speak to each other in meta-language. "Shh, Lorna, they might be logging our IP addresses." "Yikes, Buck, discipline. I've got to stay focused, retain, retain." "2. Say with a straight face that a firearm you may own is not just a piece of slick mechanism that is just another boy-toy that goes with your four-wheeler, your pick-up truck, your Ravens stuff and deals out Death to anybody who Invades your castle to violate and sell into human bondage you and your family." "the vocabulary that we use to discuss our differences has become contaminated by online discussion conducted by amateurs " 1ke
Steve December 24, 2012 at 03:37 pm
That's not true. You can go to any gun show and buy whtever you want right out of the parking lot. Then there are the Walkers that walk around with firearms. They are "cash and carry". Even better find a regular at the shows. There is an entirely different and bigger Black Market if firearms amongst the "I lost all my guns in a boating accident " <wink> <wink> Nudge...Nudge crowd. Look what this guy could do.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=7297745#.UNhxEXOtzEU
AG December 24, 2012 at 03:43 pm
One thing to remember about the NRA. It is powerful because there are so many members,
The NRA is the largest organization in the world with dues paying members. There are over 4 million members. One thing to refine, is a comment that Bart made is that gun clubs automatically enroll you in the NRA. That is a little bit off. The correct way of stating it is many gun clubs will not let you join unless you are an NRA member. If you are not a member of the NRA, they will process your membership on your behalf. As a life member of the NRA, when I join one of those clubs, I show my membership card and they take off the $25 NRA fee.
FIFA December 24, 2012 at 03:49 pm
I will Sanchez/Joeblob/Joe.
Explain why your comments have been deleted and your account was suspended? Please explain that Joeblob/Sancez/joey? Hmm. I do notice that you generally disappear on Friday evening and then show back up on Monday. Is that because you on work release for DWI? That is the normal punishment. Joe on the Juice and get caught? Eh, Joe/Sanchez? Fess up joey. PS Those were some pretty accurate descriptions.
H.R. Pufnstuf December 24, 2012 at 04:22 pm
Steve, it is totally false to say that you can buy "whatever you want" from a gun show parking lot. It is true that private sales are unregulated *except* for handguns and so-called assault rifles like AR15s. But the .22 cal rifles and 12 guage pumps, as pictured in your link as selling privately, are not what people so mass shootings with. People who don't know guns or the gun laws have wild delusions about how easy it is to get them.
Steve December 24, 2012 at 05:46 pm
LOL The last gun show I went to was in Peach Bottom. The Amish were carting away voluminous amounts of guns and ammo. They didn't show any ID.
FIFA December 24, 2012 at 05:54 pm
The problem with the NRA is they do not represent the views of their members. They are now no different that any other "Association" that is beholden to the corporations that support them. Think gun manufacturers, oil companies, cigarette companies, etc. They answer to the corporations and the corporations interests, which is truly the "Almighty Profit" at this time of the year.
1ke December 24, 2012 at 06:01 pm
I fight like a dog with you and your crew that wants to turn this forum into a cheap, awkward and extremist parody of an intelligent exchange of ideas. Yes. And you can't even consistently abide by the low-ball rules of use for this website. Booted on Patch. Dag.
I am glad you captured the Worst of Ike. I did call Arbutus Town Crier a goofball. And his old lady. Proud of it. Glad to see you can still copy and paste. When you are ready for your lesson in using bit.ly or tinyurl, let me know.
AG December 24, 2012 at 06:14 pm
Steve, there are no restrictions on non-regulated firearms and ammunition. But there are plenty on the regulated arms.
Of course, those marauding groups of Amish gang-bangers are going to be a threat in the near future. But one interesting statistic was from an FBI report several years ago. They tracked where firearms used in crime came from. A little more than 1% came from gun shows, But gun shows make great news, and are good for grandstanding politicians. But the bottom line is that gun sales at gun shows are a non-issue
Honeygo Hal December 24, 2012 at 06:45 pm
While you're at it, don't forget to arm the Firemen:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/two-firefighters-shot-killed-while-responding-webster-n-163105823.html Oh, and the movie theater ushers... and the guards at the malls... And anywhere else folks gather. Hope they are all perfect shots - that collateral damage thing gets a bit messy.
Steve December 24, 2012 at 06:49 pm
The NRA stifles the competition too. They have laws crafted that exclusively benefit themselves. Look at how many times they cut GOA and SAF out at the knees. The NRA did everything in their playbook to get Alan Gura to lose his recent legal fights. Good thing he was tenacious and didn't fall for any of their crap.
Sanchez December 24, 2012 at 11:54 pm
Can't wait until the firemen are even mourned viewed and buried to exploit their deaths can you?
Sanchez December 25, 2012 at 12:00 am
Will Cummings listen? He didn't listen when he was told Eric Holder was forcing the sale of "assault weapons" and ammunition to know straw buyers ending up in the Sinola drug cartel hands. Cummings DEFENDED that illegal deadly international firearm trade and does until this day.
Will Kasemeyer listen? Kasemeyer 2 years now attempted to criminalize anyone caught on any state property with any kind of knife including a folding pocket knife that many people carry daily. Will he listen? If you believe he will you are forever the optimist.
Sanchez December 25, 2012 at 12:04 am
1ke 8:52 am on Monday, December 24, 2012
"Name calling occurs only in the face of non sequitors and non-responses." And then from 1ke. "I think I'd better check the water supply in the bunker because glasnost was yesterday's cornflakes, bay-bee!" "Look at your sorry self dance. Stumbling. Fumbling. Passive aggressive. Do you study history much or snuggle up with end-times, fascist websites?" "Then, you could write your next screed about quadroons and octoroons and further explore your fraction skills. Really ignorant, Lorna." "Everybody else is stupid and you are smart." "I'd rather have a home invasion than a door-to-door visit from one of this crowd. Why has it taken so long for these goofballs to out like this?" "Speak to each other in meta-language. "Shh, Lorna, they might be logging our IP addresses." "Yikes, Buck, discipline. I've got to stay focused, retain, retain." "2. Say with a straight face that a firearm you may own is not just a piece of slick mechanism that is just another boy-toy that goes with your four-wheeler, your pick-up truck, your Ravens stuff and deals out Death to anybody who Invades your castle to violate and sell into human bondage you and your family." "the vocabulary that we use to discuss our differences has become contaminated by online discussion conducted by amateurs " 1ke
FIFA December 25, 2012 at 12:25 am
Silliness PC, blame anyone and everything other than the crazy and the weapons. The media did it. Yup, it was them. Unless the weapons are available the crazy can't do it.
FIFA December 25, 2012 at 12:27 am
You are an obscenity Sanchez/Joe/joey.
Sanchez December 25, 2012 at 01:00 am
FIFA 7:25 am on Monday, December 24, 2012
"When you resort to pulling out the attack card, you lose."
Greg G. December 25, 2012 at 02:04 am
Dennis G. sales went up due to paranoia. I have two friends that are ultra conservative almost survivalist and their first concern (disgusting as it was) about the tragedy was how there will be a rush on .223 ammo and these weapons so see Obama is going to take away our rights. No, he is going to protect the very first and most important right. Their right to life and the pursuit of happiness. All other amendments try to support this basic belief. I am sad for them as I have known them for 35 years and they just dont seem to get that the middle aged right wing white guy is a diminishing group. I dont think they are gun nuts per se. Just scared. Deep down inside the people that need these weapons are afraid. So it becomes the chicken or the egg. The only way to reduce the fear is to reduce the violence, but to reduce the violence we need to reduce what creates the fear. Bad people with guns and to do that we need to reduce guns. So it is cyclical.
Dennis Gilpin December 25, 2012 at 03:01 am
Greg, In a perfect world there would be no need for guns.With the amount of guns around ( both legal and illegal ) do we just lay down our arms ? With the right amount of money ( unfortunately ) any gun can be gotten on the black market. Now, put them in the hands of people with mental issues than we all have to be afraid.We just saw where a bunch of firemen were ambushed trying to put out a fire.Does giving up your protection make any sense ? Sorry to say, there is violence all around us. Never thought it would come to this.
AG December 25, 2012 at 03:43 am
PcTech: I agree with the mental health issue. I also believe violent movies and video games provide the training to do evil things.
I also believe guns are a tool. If this guy who killed the kids did not have a rifle, he would have used a pipe bomb, fertilizer bomb, chain saw, etc As history proved, expiration of the Clinton Gun Ban did not result in a rise in crime or murders.
Sanchez December 25, 2012 at 03:59 am
COPS in Schools (CIS) US Dept of Judtice
The COPS in Schools (CIS) grant program is designed to help law enforcement agencies hire new, additional school resource officers (SROs) to engage in community policing in and around primary and secondary schools. CIS provides an incentive for law enforcement agencies to build collaborative partnerships with the school community and to use community policing efforts to combat school violence. COPS announced the first round of the CIS program in April 1999, and the most recent in July 2005. COPS has awarded in excess of $753 million http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?Item=54 http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Publications/e09042494.PDF
Lorna D. Rudnikas December 25, 2012 at 05:14 am
Why can't we just reduce bad people? Problem solved!!!
Honeygo Hal December 29, 2012 at 12:58 am
Sanchez, if I could begin to understand what your comment meant, I might be able to reply. Until then, ...

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Sean Tully June 19, 2013 at 03:48 pm
Yes, I like it too so far. I especially like that my blog entries will be posted immediatelyRead More (although I haven't tried yet) and that they took the photo of my mug down. I hated having my picture splattered all over the paper.