Texans for Accountable Government Counters APD's "Guns for Groceries" Program

Austinites outbid Police in gun buyback counter-program

WHO: Texans for Accountable Government (TAG) and local Austin activists.
WHAT: Local activists will be purchasing guns from Austinites in need of a little cash, and will give some of the firearms to law abiding residents in need. The citizens receiving those firearms will be encouraged to participate in community philanthropy.
WHERE: The right of way in front of Oak Meadow Baptist Church, 6905 South I-35, South Austin.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26.
CONTACT: JohnBush512[AT]gmail.com or [512-773-6102]

Feb. 25, 2011

AUSTIN -- The fast-talking auctioneer nonchalantly reaches for his gavel, sure that no one can beat the only bid on the floor so far.

"$100 grocery card for this walnut-grip, straight-shooting 9mm Browning Hi-Power, from the police officer in the corner. Do I hear $110 ..?" he says, before rattling off an increasing series of numbers.

"$110 cash!" comes a lone voice from the back of the crowd, to a few gasps from the crowd. This has never happened before.

"Going once, going twice ... SOLD!" says the auctioneer, with no higher bids made.

Unfortunately, Saturday morning's Austin Police Department "Guns for Groceries" event won't be held as a public auction. But local Austin activists are hoping to engage APD in a bidding-war with.

The plan: To outbid the APD in their effort to disarm the economically disadvantaged while promoting community philanthropy and safety.

Texans for Accountable Government (TAG) will be hosting the "Guns for Cash" counter-program on the public right of way in front of Meadow Baptist Church, 6905 South I-35 in Austin, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. TAG's event will provide a means for local activists to offer those trading in their working firearms cash and, as a bonus, the firearm will be used to better their community in a multitude of ways.

"Instead of destroying the firearms like APD plans to do, which is a sad waste of resources," explained John Bush, executive director of TAG, "Austin activists will be giving some of the functioning guns we collect to local Texans in need. Those receiving the firearms will be asked to volunteer for community philanthropy projects so we can make our city a more safe and enjoyable place to live. This is especially important in these trying economic times." Bush added that they were also hoping to "educate the public about the simplicity and lawfulness of private firearms transactions."

TAG holds strongly to the Second Amendment's right to bear arms, and agrees with the countless studies that show that firearms in the hands of law-abiding citizens makes for a safer city -- not a more dangerous environment as APD's "Guns for Groceries" implies.

While the Greater Austin Crime Commission is paying for the APD's buyback program, the Guns for Cash program is funded entirely by individual, local activists. The organization TAG is not buying the guns, Bush clarified.

"We have already secured $2,000 and are looking for more funds to compete with APD, which will have $30,000 worth of grocery debit cards," said Heather Fazio, a TAG leader, and a facilitator for the event. Fazio said more donations are necessary to keep pace with APD. Those interested in supporting this cause may e-mail John Bush at LibertyLover512[AT]yahoo.com for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFO

Below is a comparison between APD's and TAG's gun buyback offers:
(Activists will only be accepting functional firearms)

Handguns and rifles: APD, $100 grocery card, TAG, $110

"Assault" or sporting rifles: APD, $200 grocery card, TAG, $220

Air gun, BB gun, or replica: APD, $10 grocery card. TAG, n/a




INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRANSFERRING GUNS AND RIFLES
• Unload the gun.
• Put the gun and ammunition in separate paper bags.
• Bring gun and ammunition to the right of way in front of Oak Meadow Baptist Church (6905 South IH-35), Saturday, February 26, 2011, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
• Upon arrival, tell an activist you are there to sell a gun.
• Do not remove the gun from the bag unless asked to do so.

WEB LINK: http://tagtexas.org/169-activists-to-counter-apd-qguns-for-groceriesq-by-offe...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Guns
• TAG
• Guns for Cash
• Guns for Groceries
• Austin Police Department
• Taxes
• Disarming the people

[GunOwnerDan]

Shame on Texas law enforcement for doing such stupid things, and THANK YOU TAG for doing what is right!

[CanItAlready]

Hmm. Guns for groceries is not coercion; more like persuasion, maybe bribery. Those people who gave up their guns (however many there were) for groceries did so by choice, just like the ones who gave up their guns for cash. This is not to say I agree with these programs or the idea behind them, but I hate to hear that kind of deliberate misuse of words.

[flyrofgliders]

This is a good idea to counter the libs who would take our guns. GOOD JOB!!!!

[TheEndeavoringFamily]

Man, I wish there were more programs like that in every state!

[fudgebarjohn]

@davyjames Thumbs up.

[davyjames]

@CanItAlready Austin PD are using stolen resources to bribe people though.

[popceed]

THANK YOU.

I just happend upon this while I was trying to find the ethical equality of Bill Hicks, mixed with my personal feelings on gun ownership in the untited states.

Bravo!

[fackyoutoobe2]

I'm in austin and have a working 9mm mac pistol I want to get cash for maybe a trade for a .22 bolt action please let me know when and where

[Eslamizar]

Bunch of worthless looser cops... well at least the ones that were on camera talking out of their asses. See the pussies with badges stop answering questions and the fat fuck who couldn't park his SUV? fuckem....

[VirtualMuseumGroup]

People have been so brainwashed into thinking guns are evil by government, when in fact the 2nd Amendment is all about keeping your government in check and ensuring all the other Amendments.

Thank you TAG for educating people, long live the PEOPLE

[valflyinf]

@MikeHansonArchives Oh ok that clears it up. Good deal then. I do maintain the health problem argument though. And the guns will be given to who? The website does not have a related event on the 27th..