Report: Guns For GUNS N' ROSES Tickets A Big Hit In Oakland

December 3, 2006

CBS5.com reports that organizers of a guns-for-GUNS N' ROSES ticket exchange in Oakland Saturday said the event was a success since three dozen guns were taken off the street. [Watch a CBS 5 report on the exchange at this location.]

"I want to get a billion guns off the street," said gun exchange coordinator Joe DeVries. But for now, DeVries was happy with 36.

Organizers and police collected the guns in the parking lot of McAfee Coliseum.

DeVries said the 20 handguns and 12 rifles picked up would be sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms so they can be melted down and turned into manhole covers.

DeVries was particularly pleased that the event was able to get a few guns known as "Saturday night specials," or "junk guns," off the street. DeVries said junk guns are small, cheap and easily concealed.

Those who turned in guns were given a prize in exchange, such as tickets to a Warriors game, tickets to an upcoming GUNS N' ROSES concert, a tabletop oven or gift cards for Wal-Mart and Sears.

"We gave away a prize average of $100 per gun," DeVries said. "Some (guns) were worth far more, some were worth far less. We did have one man who turned in seven guns, (so) we gave him a few extra GUNS N' ROSES tickets."

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