Gun Buyback Program raises money to 'buy back' 50 guns, hopes for more funding

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WILMINGTON, NC - (WECT) - In a little over two weeks, anyone that wants to will be able to sell their illegal guns with no questions asked. It's called the Joshua Proutey Demetrius Green Gun Buyback Program, named in honor of two innocent victims of gun violence.

Right now, organizers of the program with LINC (Leading Into New Communities) say they only have enough funding to buy back 50 guns, which they say isn't enough.

"To only have $5,000 on August 24th is unacceptable, as a community, I know we can do better," explained Patrick Holmes with LINC. He says he has already gotten calls from gun owners asking about the program, and believes more than 50 weapons will be turned in.

"I would hate to have to turn people away because we don't have the money," said Holmes. He says his goal is to raise enough money to buy back at least 100 guns. Holmes says he will be going to door and business to business until he can raise enough funds, but adds that he is confident the community will be able to do so.

He says getting guns off of the streets will help to curb the gun violence and bring everyone a peace of mind.

"You leave here and you don't know if you will make it home," said Holmes. "We need to curb that fear, Wilmington is a beautiful place and we need to stop the gun violence."

Even during a Wilmington Police declared ceasefire over the past 45 days, there were 19 aggravated assaults involving handguns, leaving four people wounded.