Editor-DN
New Orleans, USA:
A day before the deadly pickup truck attack, New Orleans residents participated in a city-sponsored gun take-back initiative aimed at improving public safety amid Louisiana’s lax gun ownership laws. The event, organized by a local nonprofit, saw dozens of people exchange guns for gaming devices, with no questions asked until the firearms were activated.
Over the course of two hours on Tuesday, city police officers recovered and disposed of 32 revolvers, shotguns and semi-automatics, all from gaming consoles, such as PlayStation 5s, according to an Associated Press report. Traded in return.
Among the attendees was 50-year-old Leticia Clinton, who opted to trade in her weapon for a PlayStation 5 worth about $500. While Ms. Clinton has a permit to carry a concealed handgun that she has owned for the past decade, she also has eight young grandchildren around the house.
“With all the grandkids and all the violence they get, it’s time to get him off the street,” Clinton said.
As for Playstation? “It will be for everyone to share when they come home,” he said.
‘Games for Guns’
In the past six months, the city has reportedly collected 94 guns through three such buyback programs. A local nonprofit called Unchained Realities is organizing the exchanges as part of its Nola Grown Gaming program that engages inner-city youth with gaming.
As the AP reports, the nonprofit has established two centers for youth to build skills and open paths to the world of gaming — whether as a competitive player or in game development, graphic design and By coding. A third center is reportedly operational.
“If my inbox is full of people saying they want to do it, I just feel the need to go out and try to raise some more money,” gaming program co-director J.D. Carrey said.
Louisiana Gun Ownership Laws
The buybacks came in response to Louisiana’s more relaxed gun ownership restrictions and tougher penalties for violent crimes.
New Orleans historically has one of the highest homicide rates in the United States. However, according to the New Orleans Police Department, homicides and non-fatal shootings have decreased significantly over the past two years.
Over the years, Louisiana has tightened its laws for violent crimes. Shortly after taking office in 2024, Republican Governor Jeff Landry pushed a tough-on-crime agenda and introduced laws to curb crime in the Grand Old Party (GOP)-dominated state.
One of the laws passed is to charge 17-year-olds as adults. According to another law, a person convicted of a crime must serve 85 percent of the sentence before being released.
But he also relaxed gun ownership restrictions. A law that took effect in August allows people 18 and older to carry a concealed weapon without a government permit.
Truck attack in New Orleans
At least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured on New Year’s Day in New Orleans’ crowded French Quarter after US Army veterans stormed makeshift barricades. Jabbar, 42, may have had help from others to carry out the attack, police officials said, as three improvised pipe bombs, one of which was in Jabbar’s truck, were found near the touristy French Quarter.
The attack happened around 3:15 a.m. near the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a historic tourist spot known for its music and bars where crowds were celebrating New Year’s. The suspect drove a white Ford F-150 electric pickup into a group of pedestrians, then got out and was killed in a shootout with police — two of whom were injured.
