Detroiters Turn In Firearms for Cash

DETROIT (WJBK) - Many Detroiters like the idea of turning in their guns for cash at the Second Ebenezer church.

First, the weapons are carefully checked making sure they're not loaded. Being offered is $25 for unusable guns up to $100 for a Mac 10 semiautomatic weapon.

Some people came to make sure they could be eligible for guns for cash.

"I just happened to (have) heard. I said I had two of them just (lying) around the house. I said I'm going to come see if they (will) give me some money for them," said Paul Hicks.

"Those guns will not be used to perpetrate armed robberies, and those guns will not be picked up by a young person by accident and we have another tragedy with a child killing themselves accidentally," said Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee.

Continental Management is handing out the cash. A few months ago they ran out of money, so they gave out vouchers to be used later. However, despite the response, there are some skeptics out there.

"It's not going to change anything, and no criminals are turning in their firearms. Bad guys are still armed, and it's going to make everyone else less safe because they're not going to have any," said Rick Ector of Rick's Firearm Academy of Detroit.

"We understand the value of this program, and we're glad to help provide some of the resources that make this a winning opportunity. Hopefully, some people will come away with a little bit of cash for the holiday," said Gary Offenbacher with Continental Management.

"We need guns off the street. Everybody's carrying guns now. It's too easy to get a CCW. If we can get guns off the street, guns kill people," said Shawn Davis.

Some of the weapons are in good shape, while others are in bad shape. People say some have just been lying around the house not serving any purpose, why not turn them in and get some money for them.