Rep. Payne, Jr. Reintroduces His Gun Buyback Bill to Prevent Mass Shootings Nationwide 

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. reintroduced the Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act of 2023 this week to attack the nation’s problem with gun violence.  The bill, H.R. 1361, provides federal grants to local communities to buy back guns from local gun owners.  It would take guns out of communities, promote local businesses, help law enforcement solve crimes, and save American lives.

“There is no gun violence without guns,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “My bill gives people a reason to sell their guns to create safer neighborhoods for neighborhood families and children.  Gun buyback programs have worked at the state and local level to reduce gun violence already.  Now, we need a national program to give all towns and cities the funds necessary to get guns off their streets.”

Gun violence continues to be a significant problem across the country.  There have been more than 100 mass shootings and mass murders in the United States already in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.  Nationwide, almost 7,000 Americans and close to 300 children and teens have died from gun violence this year.

Rep. Payne, Jr.’s bill provides the U.S. Department of Justice a two-year, $360 million grant to exchange smart debit cards for firearms.  The exchanges would happen through local gun dealers and the debit cards would be worth the market value of their firearm plus an additional 25 percent of the gun’s value.  Market value would be based on the condition, age and model of the firearm.  Most of the guns recovered through the exchanges would be recycled.

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