Gun buybacks take weapons out of circulation, but experts say there's no evidence the programs reduce violence

Chicago officials annually take in hundreds of guns through buyback programs. But decades of research shows such programs don't reduce violence, in large part because they don't result in guns being taken from people who aren't supposed to have them.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot called it a "bold new initiative" and said it would get "guns out of the hands of dangerous people." Chicago and other cities have been running these programs for decades, often trading gift cards of $100 or so for guns and some lesser amount for replica guns.