Tacoma, Washington is working on a new program to provide a local drop box for residents to dump their unwanted firearms.
The goal is providing anonymity to anyone who wants to discard a firearm, and while Tacoma residents can already turn in guns to local law enforcement, this method alleviates the need for human interaction.
A drop box for guns. Bad idea? (Photo: Controversial Times)
“It takes out the up-front interaction with law enforcement,” said Melissa Cordeiro, gang reduction project coordinator for Tacoma. “They would just have to drop the gun off and later law enforcement would swing by and pick it up out of the drop box.”
It’s kind of like the olden days of dropping off a movie at Blockbuster. But having so many firearms in a single, non-guarded place leaves many concerned about safety.
“It’s definitely something that is controlled access and one way,” said Cordeiro. “You can put something in, but you can’t take something out.”
If the initiative is successful, Tacoma will be setting a precedence, but first they have to figure out exactly how it would work.
“We want to make sure that it is in a safe enough location but also that police are involved,” said Cordeiro. “We don’t want to make this a target location for rival gang members or for somebody trying to steal a weapon off the street.”
(This article was a submission from freelance writer Brent Rogers)
It is a noble idea, that will back fire. On bothsides.
Bad idea, because that lock will only keep honest people out. Also, most people won’t wipe there prints. Now those prints are collectable. Which required you offering them willingly or a crime. Furthermore what better way to get rid of a weapon you just murdered someone using. Cops would never check here.
Good idea, because now felons that wish to turn in guns, anonymously can without being recognized by local law enforcement. So tip wipe, for prints.
Warning, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was conveniently located near surveillance cameras.
Seriously the stupidest thing I have seen. The anti-gun crowd continues to amaze.
Great idea! I think I’ll install one in front of my home!
One word…. Blowtorch.
That is just about the dumbest idea I have ever heard. Do you know why the Postal Service has pretty much done away with drop boxes? It’s because bad guys were breaking into them and stealing the mail. What do think the bad guys are going to do if they think there is a firearm in one? And what happens when someone drops a 1960s era Saturday special two feet into a metal container?
They can wrap a chain around it it steal the whole box like the ATM machines.
GREAT IDEA ONE STOP SHOPPING
they can wrap a chain around it it steal the whole box like the atm machines.
You have got to be joking! Really? Nowadays,they’ll knock it loose with a stolen p-up and toss it in the back. Gone in under 30 seconds. It’ll probably be empty’cause criminals are NOT giving up their guns. Is this real?
Sounds precisely as what would be expected coming from a libtard state like Washington. While they’re at it maybe they can set out drop boxes for half smoked doobies.
the plan will fail because they’ve chosen the wrong size box, one that can’t accept all those assault rifles that are turning every american street into a baghdad-worthy battleground.
You’re kidding right? Exactly where in the US are “assault rifles” turning our streets into combat zones?
THEY CAN WRAP A CHAIN AROUND IT AND STEAL THE WHOLE BOX. LIKE IS ALREADY DONE WITH ATM MACHINES. ONE STOP SHOPPING !
MAYBE THEY SHOULD PUT IT IN A GUN FREE ZONE . L.O.L
Just what is the construction of the box and the markings?
I’d make my own and put it on :my” corner……
The only people who might put a gun in this box are idiots who committed a murder and want to discard the weapon.
Will it have “Liberal idea” painted on it?
I see that some have already made parallels to ATM thefts – of the whole machine; another analogy can be made. Where have all the guns collected by local governments so far ended up? In the hands of criminals. It’s how the Good Guy Network stays in business and it’s politically expedient for funding and reelections, too. Beyond the Pale? You’ve forgotten Fast and Furious. The version that was reported on was not the first of its kind, its just that the weapons went out of the country. The camera behind the window will just let the authorities know the right people got the package. If the right group doesn’t get ’em the only thing bigger than the concern of officialdom will be the “Oh well.” comment that will precede “We can’t let one mistake stall a good program.”
Been around for 70 years. Just tryin’ to keep up with all the changes.
Who would actually do this? I can’t imagine anyone just giving away a gun. Be it criminal or law abiding citizen… I’m going to setup a Harley Davidson drop box on the curb in front of my house. “Please place all unwanted Harley’s in this box! No questions asked”
Now THAT is the only GOOD idea/suggestion about this whole stupid topic.
What side railroad tracks were they born on! Just how stupid this really sounds! Take them to any legal FFl dealer or Pawn shop they’ll buy off you! Plus, you can put some cash in your pocket if you don’t want the gun.
Seriously?! I am laughing so hard at this concept for so many reasons that I can’t even catch my breath long enough to list them! Just when I thought human stupidity had run its course, along comes another example…
Thanks for the link, I’d gladly write to her, but: A – Don’t feel like wasting my time, and B – No matter how I tried to be polite, it would either be perceived as mildly insulting or just be dismissed.
Like most liberal ideas, this one is derisive. I can envision some citizens using the drop box because this would avoid interaction with the police. Here in New York State even picking a handgun up from the side walk and taking it to the police opens one up to a felony charge of gun possession, or worse if the gun was used in a shooting of an innocent person.
The criminals might drop their guns while reading the drop box message because they would be laughing so hard. They would then pick up their illegal firearm and continue on their way to rob a bank or store.
Liberals do not know what they are doing. This point cannot be stressed enough.
Wouldn’t this be a place for a citizen to be ambushed by a criminal waiting for you to show up to deposit a gun in this box. It happens a ATMs all the time.
Ill meet anyone down there with my ffl license and take them off your hands.
Ill meet anyone down there with my ffl license and take them off your hands.
Can someone explain to her, NICELY BUT DIRECTLY, what kind of an impact this will *not* have on gang-related violence. Keep in mind she graduated from U of WA, so keep the words around two-three syllables max:
Melissa Cordeiro
747 Market Street, Room 836
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 591-5155
[email protected]
So the bad guys that are legally prohibited from possessing firearms (felons) and have obtained them contrary to existing laws are going to turn them in? The usual idiot approach of targeting the people who aren’t the problem. How difficult is it to understand that criminals don’t obey laws let alone voluntarily relinquish any perceived advantage?
Even if it worked, the camera on the other side of the window would take away any anonymity. On the other hand, the camera will see the pick up take away their box of guns.
Even if it worked, the camera on the other side of the window would take away any anonymity. On the other hand, the camera will see the pick up take away their box of guns.
Turning in your guns because there are too many guns on the street is like castrating yourself because the neighbor has too many children!
if a pickup and a chain can take out an ATM, this would be a piece of cake,Really stupid idea.
I hope it’s bolted down with 24/7 video surveillance and a 30 second response time. How do you spell I D I O T S, again?
How do you spell “Idiots”? Simple, it’s spelled several ways: “Tacoma”, “Seattle”, but “Western Washington” pretty much covers most of it.
What part of a box of guns left unattended on city street seems like a bad idea. Even with the best of intentions this probably won’t work. Do they really think the gang bangers are gonna give the illegal guns they have? LIBERALS sure dream big…
One of the worst ideas ,that I’ve heard.!