Gun turn-in events don’t reduce crime. They don’t reduce accidents with firearms. They don’t reduce suicides. There’s virtually no evidence that these compensated confiscation events have any benefit whatsoever, apart from generating positive headlines for the politicians and public officials who put them together in local media. 

Gun “buybacks” are about public relations, not public safety. Beyond offering politicians a chance at self-promotion, these efforts are meant to push the notion that gun ownership itself is a bad idea. They’re part of the culture war against the right to keep and bear arms. 

I’m disappointed, but not exactly surprised to see that one of these compensated confiscation events will be happening not far from my home in central Virginia. The uber-progressive bastion of Charlottesville, Virginia is holding a “buyback” this Friday, more than two years after Police Chief Michael Kochis started pushing for an event. 

Organizing a buyback in Virginia isn’t as simple as collecting unwanted guns, Kochis told the press outside Charlottesville Police Department headquarters June 10.

“In Virginia, in order to do one, you actually have to have a city ordinance passed that allows that jurisdiction to have a gun buyback program,” he said.

When City Council approved such an ordinance in July of 2023, after a bloody crime wave the prior winter, Kochis said he turned to the city of Richmond for what he called “a proven model.”

“We are modeling ours after the city of Richmond, which has done several of them,” he said.

A proven model for what, exactly? Yes, Richmond has spent tens of thousands of dollars on “buybacks”, but there’s no indication whatsoever that they’ve had any kind of measurable impact on the crime rate. As the Daily Progress notes, while homicides in Richmond declined by 20% between 2023 and 2024, non-fatal shootings rose by 5% and accidental/negligent discharges increased by 11%. 

Kolchis, however, is sticking to his anti-gun talking points. 

“If we can get even one gun off the street that could’ve ended up in the wrong hands, then that’s a good thing,” he said.

He said the buyback Friday at Mount Zion will also feature gun safety education and literature on how to become a responsible gun owner.

While the police can’t always determine if a firearm is linked to a crime, Kochis said that’s not the point.

“We can’t tell if it’s connected to a crime unless there’s a specific case to test it against. But really, this is about getting more guns off the street,” he said.

If Kochis wants to “get guns off the street”, his officers should be arresting those who are illegally carrying a gun. The police department, however, shouldn’t be engaging in any activity that suggests gun ownership is bad, and it definitely shouldn’t be wasting any money to collect old, busted, or unwanted firearms. 

I have no idea how many guns will be handed over on Friday, but there are likely tens of thousands of firearms in the hands of lawful owners in and around Charlottesville, and the number of guns collected is going to be a drop in the bucket compared to how many are still out there. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more guns sold to Charlottesville and Albemarle County residents this weekend than are taken in by the Charlottesville police, but with Kochis declaring that getting even one gun would make the “buyback” a success I’m sure he’ll be touting the results once the event is over regardless of how many are collected.. and how little impact the event will have on crime and public safety.