"West Baltimore Gun Buyback: A Hopeful Effort to Remove Hundreds of Firearms from City Streets"
The Baltimore Archdiocese organized a gun buyback event in West Baltimore, collecting 356 firearms, including handguns and semiautomatic weapons. While some questioned the effectiveness of buybacks in curbing violence, local leaders expressed hope for peace building. The event ran out of cash and gift cards, and organizers acknowledged the need to reach out to young people who are both victims and suspects of gun violence. The buyback aimed not only to reduce the supply of firearms but also to launch a place of hope and promote community healing. Elected officials emphasized the importance of addressing gun traffickers and sellers to tackle the root causes of violence.