Gun buy back program may receive funding

ST. LOUIS – A program in which St. Louis police buy guns to get them off the streets may get a second life.

Last month, police commissioners failed to allocate $57,500 for another year of the program when the vote deadlocked at 2-2. But Mayor Francis Slay, who is part of the commission, had left the meeting.

Slay later said he supports the program.

Commissioners are meeting again Wednesday, and the buyback program is expected to come up again for a vote, this time with all five members expected to be present.

Police bought back nearly 540 guns last year, no questions asked. Still, the city's murder rate has risen sharply this year, and some critics say the money could be better spent elsewhere in the department.