Violent crime in the West Chatham Precinct was up 33% compared to the previous year in 2016. Then District 7 Alderman Van Johnson wanted to take an active role in changing this and began buying guns back from Savannah’s youth.
Ten years, one Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) review and about 50 guns later, now Savannah Mayor Johnson still purchases firearms from young adults using personal funds and donations, but the initiative has taken a slower pace since its inception.
“If it means giving $100 out of my pocket to make sure that some kid doesn’t kill somebody with it, it’s worth it,” Johnson said…