Gun buyback programs are programs through which individuals can turn in firearms to law enforcement agencies, usually with no questions asked, and receive some kind of compensation in return. The overall goal of gun buyback programs is to reduce the number of gun possessed within a community, and reduce gun-related crimes, injuries, and deaths within a community. These programs have been popular suggestions among some politicians and policymakers, but what do we know about such programs from social science research. Criminologists and policy analysts have been studying these types of programs for a few decades now. This webinar will provide an objective, a-political review of the existing research on gun buyback programs so that law enforcement and municipal leaders can make informed decisions about the usefulness of these programs.

Course Outline:

• Introduction to Gun Buyback Programs
  • What are they?
  • What are their goals?
  • What is the premise underlying them?
  • What does the public think of them?
• Gun Buyback Involvement
  • Who participates?
  • Why do they participate?
  • What types of weapons are collected?
• The Impact of Buyback Programs
  • What impact do they have on crime?
  • What impact do they have on injuries?
  • What impact do they have on deaths?
  • What impact do they have on guns?