There are fewer firearms on the streets of Shreveport and Caddo Parish with the satisfying conclusion of the first Caddo Parish Gun Buy-back Saturday, January 14, 2017.

“Today was a great success,” said Caddo Parish Assistant District Attorney Mekisha Smith Creal, who noted that “41 firearms were turned over to be destroyed. As a result, citizens of Caddo Parish received a total of 61 gift cards. That’s $3,050 worth of gift cards.”

The buy-back, held at the Morning Star Baptist Church Life Center at 5340 Jewella Ave., was a joint effort by the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s office, the Caddo Parish Commission and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office. It allowed parish residents the chance to surrender firearms for the cash gift cards.

The anonymous, drive-up event offered $300 for assault-style rifles, $100 for .380 or larger semi-automatic pistols and $50 for smaller-caliber handgunss, revolvers, rifles and shotguns. Arms surrendered Saturday included  such names as Hawes, Hi-Point, Sig Sauer, Sterling Arms, Winchester, Lorcin, Cobra, Mossburg, Raven, Marlow and Smith & Wesson.

Saturday’s effort was a test effort, the first of what may be many such outreaches to get firearms off the streets.

“Because this one went well, I’m sure there will be more,” Creal said. “They just haven’t been scheduled yet.”