A new disarmament initiative has been introduced by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who is providing financial incentives to residents who surrender their firearms.
In an effort to reduce the number of firearms in the nation and stop violent crimes involving weapons, Mexico began a disarming program on Friday.
At a press conference held in Mexico City at the Basilica of Guadalupe, a famous Catholic cathedral and national landmark, President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled the “Yes to disarmament, Yes to peace” campaign.
“What is the purpose of weapons? Weapons are a representation of death and violence. We don’t want any family to own a firearm, even while the Armed Forces are armed, particularly if we know someone is violent or has interacted with a criminal organization,” Sheinbaum stated.
Every year, more than 200,000 firearms are imported into Mexico from the United States, and about 70% of all homicides in Mexico are carried out with a firearm.
“We have no weapons in our nation.”
The Mexican population sought most firearms through a thriving black market, despite the government’s strict gun laws, which required Mexicans to undergo a thorough background check and only acquire firearms from one retailer.
If a weapon is found in the home, it can be turned over and money will be provided in exchange while the weapon is destroyed, all without conducting any kind of investigation.
“This program’s goal is disarmament, to make sure that our nation is free of weapons,” Sheinbaum stated.
According to the government, Mexicans who turned in their firearms might get up to 26,000 pesos ($1,300) each gun.
Additionally, kids are encouraged to give up toys that look like guns in return for “educational toys.”
