Cedar Rapids police planning gun buyback

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — The Cedar Rapids police chief is planning a gun buyback this spring as part of his effort to reduce gun violence in the city.

Police Chief Wayne Jerman said in a report to the council on Tuesday that the current level of gun violence is unacceptable. He also says the buyback would be a success if it were to obtain just one gun that could be used to harm someone.

Council member Don Karr didn’t like the buyback idea and said after the council meeting that “no bad guy is going to turn in a gun.”

He says money that will be used for buyback program instead ought to be used to hire another police officer.