The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor has determined that the gun buyback program held by the city of Columbus last year was not illegal.
Spokesperson Brett Kittredge confirmed Wednesday that the office sent the city a closure letter stating that it found no evidence of wrongdoing when the city council voted to set aside $10,000 in its general fund for the program, which allowed city residents to trade in guns for cash.
The Columbus Police Department ultimately bought 64 guns from residents and destroyed them. The complaint challenged the city’s authority to use taxpayer dollars for that purpose.
Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, contacted Wednesday by The Dispatch, said he was pleased with the investigation’s conclusion.
“I supported the program because I thought it was a good way to deter crime,” Smith said. “I’m just elated that (the result) worked out in favor of the city of Columbus and that they found there was nothing illegal that was done. I thought the money was used wisely.”
State legislation passed earlier this year will not allow the city to hold another such program unless guns purchased from the public are first offered to federal firearms dealers before they can be destroyed.
State House member Gary Chism, R-Columbus, who supported that legislation, said some people who voluntarily sold a firearm may not realize the value of what they have.
“There may be some heirloom guns,” Chism said. “It just makes somebody that really likes and collects guns sick at their stomach that you’re going to destroy something that is a novelty, that is a relic. There’s some expensive shotguns and rifles and other things that whether you ever shot them or not, some people that collect them just like to collect them.”
Councilman Kabir Karriem, a vocal proponent of the program, said the program was needed and that similar objectives are needed to get guns off the street.
“I think it’s incumbent on the mayor and the city council to do all they possibly can to ensure the safety of our citizens and make sure that we try to get guns out of hands of our young adults and our youth,” Karriem said. “I think that needs to be a top priority.”
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.