Gun Buy Back Program Attracts Big Crowd

Winston-Salem's gun buyback program drew a big crowd to the city fairgrounds Saturday.

A total of 167 guns were bought outright using $15,000 in combined city and drug forfeiture funds. Another 197 guns were collected using vouchers to be paid at a later date. 

Also turned in without payment were smoke bombs, tear gas and several boxes of ammunition. Jeanette Hill turned in a .32-caliber revolver that had been a gift to her husband about 20 years ago. He has since passed away, and Hill says it's been tucked away ever since.

The crowds were so strong that 40 minutes into the buyback organizers had to stop to make sure they had enough money to keep going. Bryan Blakley, an assistant police chief, says the buyback is a chance to get the community involved in reducing gun violence.

A second buyback is scheduled for April 12 at First Waughtown Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.