BRAVE to host "Gas for Guns" firearm buyback program

BATON ROUGE - With the goal of taking more unsecured firearms off the streets of Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination program, federal and local law enforcement, and the Circle K Corporation are teaming up for a "no questions asked" gun buyback program in which the weapons can be turned in for free gas.

BRAVE's "Gas for Guns" gun buyback program will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at Elm Grove Baptist Church, located at 1069 North 38th Street in Baton Rouge. Local and federal law enforcement agencies will offer between $50 and $300 in gas coupons for each qualifying handgun or assault weapon that is turned in during the program's hours of operation.

Mayor "Kip" Holden said the program allows residents to safely dispose of firearms and ammunition that they no longer want in their homes while minimizing the threat that the dangerous items could fall into the wrong hands. The mayor also pointed out that every year, crimes are committed with unsecured guns that have been stolen or used without the owners' permission.

BRAVE's Gas for Guns programs in August of last year collected 53 handguns, 12 rifles and 8 shotguns. They gave out a total of $5,350 in Circle K gas cards.

During the exchange program, any functional, non-replica pistol or revolver smaller that 0.380 caliber can be exchanged for gas cards totaling $50. Pistols that are .0380 caliber or greater can be traded for gas cards totaling $100 in value, and the program will pay $300 in gas cards for "assault style" rifles. The program defines these weapons as a functional variant of an automatic or semi-automatic rifle that is currently in use by military forces with a caliber of 9 mm, 7.62 mm or 5.56 mm. Other firearms that are ineligible for gas coupon exchange can also be dropped off at the program site for safe disposal.