In the wake of several highly publicized incidents involving gun-related deaths, the Philadelphia Police Department has announced a gun buyback program scheduled to run through the end of the month.
Police spokesman Cpl. Jim Pauley said that the goal is to reduce the number of gun crimes by reducing the number of guns available to potential offenders.
To that end, throughout April, Philadelphia's police precincts will be accepting firearms of all shapes and sizes with a "no questions asked" policy, Pauley said.
While the program will be implemented citywide, the impact of guns has been apparent at Penn in recent months due in part to a Feb. 18 shootout involving four men outside the Bridge: Cinema de Lux movie theater at 40th and Walnut streets.
There have also been several gunpoint robberies on campus, the most recent of which occurred Saturday near 42nd and Pine streets.
In exchange for the weapons, those who bring in guns will receive gift certificates of varying values to the City Blue clothing store. The amount of money offered is commensurate with the danger posed by the weapon deposited.
Assault weapons, such as AK-47s, are worth $200, handguns are worth $100 and long guns -- such as shotguns and rifles -- are worth $50. Police will also accept toy guns, but no gift certificates will be given.
Past gun buybacks have been successful in terms of collecting firearms, Pauley said. On previous occasions, police have gathered between 900 and 2,000 weapons.
The last gun-buyback initiative was run by Men United -- a local anti-violence group in the city -- last June. Over the course of a week, police recovered more than 900 guns.
It is very difficult, however, to quantify the impact of these buybacks on crime.
"I highly doubt that anyone with the intent of using a gun to harm somebody" would participate in the program, said Wharton junior Mike Toto, outreach director for the Penn College Republicans.
While "taking guns off the street is a good idea," Toto added that "the root of the problem lies in gun trafficking," with weapons arriving in the United States illegally.
Penn College Democrats President Jess Smyth is pleased with the measures that the city is taking.
"I certainly think there have been several incidents [around Penn's campus] that make one pause," the College junior said.
The federal government, she said, must do more to fight gun crime, and she sees the buyback program as a positive step.
But not all students agree.
College senior Stephanie Steward, chairwoman of the Penn Republicans, does not have any problem with the buyback program because it is purely voluntary.
However, Steward -- who is a licensed gun owner -- said that governmental attempts at firearms control can often overstep their constitutional bounds, interfering with those who wish to carry weapons lawfully.
She also said that Penn's gun policy -- which essentially bans firearms from most campus locations -- creates more danger for students, not less.
Students in night classes who have concealed-carry permits in particular, she said, should be allowed to carry guns with them for their own protection.
