“Mexico Launches National Campaign to Remove Guns from Streets: ‘Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace’”
Mexico has uncover a bold, nationwide campaign to reduce gun violence by encouraging citizens to turn in firearms. President Claudia Sheinbaum officially launched the initiative, named “Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace,” on Friday, highlighting the government’s commitment to creating safer communities.
The program offers financial incentives for anonymous gun turn-ins at designated locations, including churches. Compensation varies depending on the type of weapon:
- 8,700 pesos ($430) for a revolver
- 25,000 pesos ($1,200) for an AK-47 rifle
- 26,450 pesos ($1,300) for a machine gun
Once collected, these weapons are destroyed by authorities.
A Holistic Approach to Fighting Crime
She emphasized the importance of protecting future generations from exposure to violence. “Why must we teach our children anything about violence?” she asked during the campaign launch, where soldiers symbolically destroyed a weapon.
Children present at the event also had the chance to exchange toy guns for other toys, reinforcing the campaign’s message of peace.
The initiative, originally introduced in Mexico City in 2019, will now be expanded nationwide. It is a collaborative effort involving the defense, interior, and public safety ministries, with strong support from Mexican religious leaders.
Addressing a National Crisis
The campaign comes as Mexico continues to grapple with rampant violence, much of it tied to the country’s illegal drug trade. In 2023 alone, the country recorded 31,062 homicides, with firearms accounting for an estimated 70% of these deaths, according to preliminary data from the National Statistics Institute.
Mexico’s strict gun control laws make legal firearm purchases nearly impossible, but the country has consistently urged the United States to address cross-border arms trafficking, which exacerbates the crisis.
By offering practical solutions like gun buybacks, Mexico hopes to curb the violence and foster a culture of peace across the nation.
