By Mark Scott and Kenneth Macdonald
Buffalo, NY – The Erie County Medical Center presented a $10,000 check Friday to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown for his gun buyback program.
ECMC President Michael Young made the donation in recognition of his hospital's status as the region's trauma center where most victims of gun violence are taken for treatment. He offered critics of the gun buyback an opportunity to spend an evening at the trauma center to see first-hand the consequences of such violence.
"ECMC's dedicated trauma teams work tirelessly on behalf of gunshot victims almost every day," Young said. "So we know intimately the damage these illegal weapons inflict. Fewer illegal guns will save lives and protect communities."
Brown is hoping to raise $150,000 in donations for the gun buyback. It will be held on Saturday, May 19th.
The city will offer pre-paid debit cards to people who turn in illegal weapons.
"We don't think we're enabling criminals; we think we are disarming criminals," Brown said.