City holds gun buy back program and gun show

WEST MIAMI-DADE (WSVN) -- South Florida took an aim at a problem that is triggering trouble across the country. In a effort to reduce gun violence the city of Miami Police Department hosted a gun buy back program on Saturday, ironically enough it took place at the same time of a gun show in Miami.

Gun enthusiasts lined up by the hundreds for a gun and knife show in Southwest Miami-Dade. The show drew record crowds on Saturday as thousands lined up for hours, before the doors opened.

Rick Garrido who was shopping for guns said, "It's probably going to be this way for the next several months." He adds, "They are going to be putting a ban on everything so, people are running out to get what they can now."

It's been a little more than a month since the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, where more than two dozen people were gunned down in Sandy Hook Elementary, most of them young children. President Obama has already called for immediate changes in gun laws and just this week he signed an executive order that strengthened background checks. He's also asking congress to ban military style assault weapons.

Also happening on the same day, the Miami Police Department hosted a gun buy back program, giving gift cards and Heat tickets to anyone willing to drop off guns.

Reverend Jerome Starling said, "So we begged today that a sister, a brother, a cousin, a family member would search the house to see if there are any guns in the house and bring them to the gun buy back." He adds, "These guns are affecting people's life. They are killing little kids."

In all they brought in 129 guns off the street and while the turnout was decent it didn't compare to the crowds that came out to buy all kinds of weapons.

They expect the crowds back at the gun show Sunday at 8 a.m., when doors open. While the gun buy back program hosted by the Miami Police Department will be running for the next two Saturdays.

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