By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-594458.mp3
Buffalo, NY – The city's gun buyback program is being deemed a huge success.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Police Commissioner McCarthy Gipson told reporters Monday that about 800 guns were turned in on Saturday during a "no questions asked" buy-back program at seven area churches.
The city is currently working with the ATF to trace the weapons and find out if they were involved in crimes. Mayor Brown says an audit of all the weapons will be completed by Tuesday.
The police commissioner says many of the guns will be destroyed. But stolen guns traced to their original owners will be returned.
Also Monday, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter announced more funding will be coming to the community policing program known as COPS.
The federal program was not funded last year and has been drastically cut through the years. COPS has been instrumental in helping urban police department's hire more officers to fight crime.
Slaughter says once the Senate finalizes the bill, President Bush has promised to sign it. But at this point Slaughter says she has no idea how much grant money Buffalo would potentially receive.