Gun buyback programs: a paragon of success. One need only look to Australia to see the effects of such a program on full display, where only… an estimated 20% of banned firearms were actually handed over to the government, according to Franz Csaszar, a professor of criminology at the University of Vienna… huh.
Well, surely New Zealand will have a better go of it!
After a tragic, vile mass shooting occurred at two Christchurch mosques in March, New Zealand politicians asked themselves: what could possibly be done to prevent another such tragedy? The conclusion, as is a natural one for most politicos, was to expand government authority on guns and ban various semi-automatic weapons.
So, how’s that going for them?
Not well. Not well at all.
New Zealand, which had previously had considerable liberties regarding gun ownership, can’t seem to get its citizens to hand over their firearms.
“So far, about 700 firearms have been voluntarily surrendered,” The Washington Post reported. This is all well and good until you realize there are 1.2-1.5 million estimated firearms in New Zealand. Though, to be fair, it is currently unknown how many of that vast number are affected by the buyback.
Considering the broad nature of New Zealand’s ban, though, it’s safe to assume that number exceeds 700.
It begs the question. If the buyback doesn't work, what will the government try next?