Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Mississippi Gun Turn-In Scrapped Due to New NRA-Backed Law

Friday, June 12, 2015

Mississippi Gun Turn-In Scrapped Due to New NRA-Backed Law

On Thursday, the organizer of a gun turn-in that was set to take place on Saturday in Jackson, Mississippi postponed the event when he was informed that the event violated state law.  Such an oversight might be understandable if the organizer had been a member of the general public, but the event was organized by the chief law enforcement officer of Hinds County, Sheriff Tyrone Lewis. 

Sheriff Lewis and actor Dan Aykroyd, who is also a Hinds County Deputy, had planned to exchange "gas for guns" by giving gas cards to anyone who turned in a firearm, "no questions asked."  Fortunately, Rep. Andy Gipson (R-Braxton) issued a statement on Thursday indicating that the turn-in likely violated state law because the event needed to be authorized by a county ordinance, which it was not, and any firearms collected in the turn-in would have to be sold at auction to licensed firearms dealers.  This law was passed as part of HB 314 authored by Rep. Gipson in 2014 that, in addition to ending publicly funded destruction of firearms, prohibited the confiscation of firearms during a declared emergency, stopped public housing authorities from disarming residents, and clarified that local governments have no authority to regulate the possession of firearms. 

The gun turn-in provisions of the law are important because the available evidence shows that turn-ins (often referred to as "buy-backs", though it's unclear how government acquisition of a firearm is a "buy-back") have no effect on crime and are a waste of tax payer money.  The National Academy of Sciences has reported that "the theory underlying gun buy-back programs is badly flawed and the empirical evidence demonstrates the ineffectiveness of these programs."  Such ineffectiveness and waste primarily stem from the types of firearms that are actually turned in, which the report found "tend to be of two types: (1) old, malfunctioning guns whose resale value is less than the reward offered in buy-back programs or (2) guns owned by individuals who derive little value from the possession of the guns (e.g., those who have inherited guns)."  To anyone with a basic understanding of economics, it seems clear that individuals would not trade valuable, functional firearms for $50 or $100 gas cards. 

HB 314 still gives local officials the authority to conduct gun turn-in events.  The bill just ensures that if such events are conducted, their constituents are aware of how their tax revenues are being used, and the officials are prohibited from committing waste by destroying any firearms of value that are turned in.  NRA would like to thank Rep. Gipson and all of HB 314's supporters for helping to pass this important legislation.  Please contact your state representatives to encourage them to introduce and pass this type of legislation in your state.

TRENDING NOW
Baltimore Gets Serious on Crime Control, and the Results Speak for Themselves

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

Baltimore Gets Serious on Crime Control, and the Results Speak for Themselves

As the mid-year mark of 2025 hits, a promising report on crime trends has come out of the City of Baltimore. Surprising news at first glance until you dig deeper into the policy direction the ...

U.K. Moves to Legally De-suppress Suppressors

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

U.K. Moves to Legally De-suppress Suppressors

On July 4th, President Donald Trump signed into law his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which included a provision that eliminated the tax stamp fee of $200, but did not deregulate suppressors under the National Firearms ...

President Trump Supports Hunting and Resource Protection with Executive Actions

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

President Trump Supports Hunting and Resource Protection with Executive Actions

Just as the United States was preparing to celebrate 249 beautiful years, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on July 3rd establishing the “Make America Beautiful Again" Commission supporting hunters, outdoorsmen, and outdoor recreationists by prioritizing the ...

Legacy Media Finally Acknowledges Politization of Public Health

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

Legacy Media Finally Acknowledges Politization of Public Health

It appears the editors of The Atlantic are finally willing to entertain an idea that has long been obvious to gun rights supporters.

House Annual Appropriations Process Update

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

House Annual Appropriations Process Update

As the House Appropriations Committee is putting together legislation to fund the government, NRA-ILA has worked closely with policy makers to ensure several long-standing priorities for gun owners were included in the underlying bills.

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

Thursday, July 10, 2025

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

In Reese v. ATF, the Fifth Circuit held that 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(b)(1) and (c)(1)—which together forbid Federal Firearms Licensees from selling handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds—violate the Second Amendment.

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Monday, July 7, 2025

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the Florida Budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, which includes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from September 8 through December 31, 2025. The NRA is thankful for Governor DeSantis’ strong ...

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

Thursday, July 10, 2025

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

In the second quarter of 2025, the National Rifle Association filed two cert petitions in the U.S. Supreme Court and five amicus briefs, while continuing to litigate dozens of ongoing lawsuits across the country.

Maine: Lawmakers Call for Anti-2A Progressive Professor to Be Fired

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Maine: Lawmakers Call for Anti-2A Progressive Professor to Be Fired

In case you missed the media firestorm last week, a progressive professor at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, Maine, has come under fire for her emails belittling a student for her religious beliefs and views ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.