A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to implement a gun buy-back program in Nashville and Davidson County.

WHEREAS, Nashville's homicide rate increased 72% in 2005 over the previous year; and

WHEREAS, although the homicide rate for 2006 to date has decreased by 18% over last year's totals, the current number is still substantially higher than the 58 homicides reported in 2004; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the increase in the homicide rate, Nashville experienced a 13.5% increase in robberies from 2004 to 2005, and a 2.4% increase for 2006 to date; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to reduce gun violence, cities across the nation have implement gun buy-back programs whereby persons are given cash payments or gifts certificates as incentives for turning in guns; and

WHEREAS, Washington, D.C. conducted a gun buy-back campaign on September 16, 2006, which allowed individuals to turn in unwanted firearms to the police with the individuals being granted amnesty from any applicable gun possession charges; and

WHEREAS, the Washington, D.C. police department catalogues the weapons, test-fires them, and works with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to trace the weapons' involvement with unsolved crimes; and

WHEREAS, the City of Boston is engaged in a gun buy-back program as part of the Aim for Peace program whereby individuals turning in guns are given a $200 Target gift card; and

WHEREAS, these gun buy-back programs operate as an incentive for persons to get guns off the streets through a "no questions asked" policy aimed at reducing the devastating effects of gun violence; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council appropriated $1.95 million as part of the fiscal year 2006-2007 substitute operating budget to a reserve account for nonprofit grants and other council initiatives, which could possibly be used to fund a portion of the gun buy-back program; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of the Metropolitan Government that the Metropolitan Police Department implement a gun buy-back program in Nashville, Tennessee.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to implement a gun buy-back program in Nashville and Davidson County.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Police Chief Ronal Serpas.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Police Department is further requested to respond to the Council as to the feasibility of and/or action taken in compliance with the request stated in Section 1 hereof not later than sixty (60) days after the adoption of this Resolution.

Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye Wallace