A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Detroit Police Gun Buy-Back

Detroit Firearm Rescue Operation
Detroit Firearm Rescue Operation

Detroit, Michigan –-(Ammoland.com)- During a Detroit gun buy-back program conducted yesterday at a local church, a group of gun rights activists staged an event of their own – a firearm rescue operation.

On Thursday, August 30th, the Detroit Police Department (DPD) and the St. Cecilia Catholic Church conducted a gun buy-back event that netted a reported 365 firearms. Predictably, the organizers announced that the program was a success and that the city would be safer, as a result of citizens voluntarily disarming themselves. Apparently, these folks do not know that there are at least 21 confirmed serial rapists in Detroit and that there have been at least 240 homicides this year, as of last Sunday.

Detroit Firearm Rescue Operation
Detroit Firearm Rescue Operation

This year’s haul of 365 firearm purchases pales in comparison to 737 guns they bought in August of last year. Of course, they’ll tell you that just one junk gun bought from a widow means that one person may not get shot as a result. This conjecture flies in the face of the fact that gun buy-backs have no measurable effect on violent crime. Furthermore, the police are not asking any questions about the guns such as how they were acquired. These events are conducted for the sake of appearances – another “feel good” media story on how hard the police are “trying” to make our city safer.

Imagine the surprise that the gun buy-back organizers must have felt when about 20 gun rights activists arrived at the scene carrying signs which promised to pay more cash than the church.

For the record, the official prices being paid to participants were $10 for pellet guns, $25 for inoperable junk guns, $50 for working firearms, and $100 for so-called “Assault Weapons” – whatever those may be.

The “gun rescue” was organized by both Michigan Open Carry, Inc. and followers of the “Legally Armed In Detroit” blog. Participants stayed off the private property of the church, displayed their “Buying Guns – CASH” signs, and rescued about 20 firearms. More firearms could have been saved however much of what was being offered for sale was junk. For example, one lady produced a banged-up small form-factor Bryco Arms .22LR caliber semi-automatic handgun without a magazine. She was advised to quickly sell it to the police before they ran out of money.

The police working the event, 20 – 30 officers, were professional. No major complaints were aired, however, there was one action performed during the event that did cast a shadow. Five officers were standing in the street forming a blockade between the church and private buyers. Obviously, some firearm sellers were intimidated by the show of force and did not run the risk of exploring a better offer for their unwanted firearm.

The “gun rescue” participants had to adjust tactics; sellers were solicited a little further up the street from the church.

In all, some previously unwanted firearms now have a home that appreciates them and the community at large has been educated about the false promises of gun buy-backs. The counter-buy-back has been covered extensively in the media and more people will now demand that their elected officials do more than waste scant public safety resources to solve our violent crime problem. Hopefully, the police department will not have the gall and audacity to stage more of these worthless events in the future.


About Rick Ector

Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Class training in Detroit for students at his firearms school – Rick’s Firearm Academy of Detroit. Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, NRAnews, Gun Digest, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, The Detroit News, WJLB, WGPR and the UrbanShooterPodcast.

Rick Ector Open Carry

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Eric

“Protect and Serve ” should be changed to Collect and Fill The City Coffer . Anchorage Politicians want to build a $13 million , swat house. Corruption lining the pockets of fatcats and Eklutna Native corp. Nothing bad about the Native corp , just the amount being spent on a shooting facility. Even worse most of it is an outdoor project. Sorry but doubling my property taxes the last 10 years and oil prices below $70 a barrel means more taxes. I have my own protection I do not need the cops except to clean up.

RDNK

It’s not LE job to ‘protect people’ ! Police ain’t a protection service. Never have been never will be. People need to realize that protecting themselves is their responsibility alone. After you shoot a turd to ‘stop the threat’,then call the police.

Dan

The police cannot, and in most cases will not protect you. According to FBI records police are evidence takers in 85% of violent crimes committed. That means 85% victims. They are best suited to sitting in the median with a radar gun in their hands looking for "opportunity tax". Not the cops fault; they are just part of an inept corrupt system thats all about the money folks.

Rahm davis

I've shot two people during robberies. Both had their guns drawn before me. The first in 1996 was a piece of cake since the fool's pistol was inoperative. He died after 3 days on a ventilator. The next robbery was in 2005 and it was a brief shoot out. Again both attackers had their weapons drawn before me. One I hit, one I missed. The one that was hit is in a wheel chair to this day and the other was never caught. You may not believe the stories but they are true. I write to point out how wrong… Read more »

nomad

What good is a gun if you can't shoot it? You really think someone is going to give you the chance to shoot them ? I assure you, you would be dead before you can even pull out your gun. Gun owners are delusional.

Sassy Lou

Uh…with the Detroit statistics being what they are….why would any GOOD samaritan return a gun? That is the last thing between you and those animals out there. The police force is destroyed economically….you think they are going to save you in that most desperate moment? You gotta be fuckin kidding me?!?!? ALL GOOD SAMARITANS should by law forced to OWN a gun under those statistics! That way any crimial knows the ones they prey on will potentially kill them! They tried this a few years back in Australia…the citizens begged for their guns back when home robberies and crime sckyrockete… Read more »