Police departments in two cities exchanged gift certificates for guns

Police departments in two cities exchanged gift certificates for guns (Alberta Times) Last Saturday, two local police departments collected unnecessary guns in Phoenix and Avondale in an effort to...

Police departments in two cities exchanged gift certificates for guns (Alberta Times) Two local police departments collected unnecessary guns in Phoenix and Avondale on Saturday in an effort to keep children safe. The "Gift Certificates for Guns" event hosted by the Phoenix and Avondale Police Departments was held at three locations in the two cities, where people exchanged weapons such as handguns, rifles or shotguns for $50 gift cards to local retailers. Phoenix police officer Thompson said that by the end of the day, police had collected more than 200 guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The event that day was held anonymously and with no questions asked. Thompson said that the effect was unexpectedly good and the demand for gift certificates exceeded supply. After the event, citizens can still turn in unnecessary firearms to the police, but they will not receive gift certificates. According to Arizona's Child Death Case Review, at least two children die from gun-related deaths each month, and at least one in five homes with guns leaves them unlocked and displayed in front of children.