Mexico’s new initiative aims to reduce gun violence by offering cash for weapons.

Mexico City: President Claudia Sheinbaum just kicked off a new campaign to tackle the gun violence that’s been a huge issue in the country. The initiative is called “Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace.”
So, here’s the deal: people can anonymously drop off their guns at certain spots, like churches, and get paid for it. They’ll receive 8,700 pesos for a revolver, 25,000 pesos for an AK-47, and 26,450 pesos for a machine gun. The plan is to destroy these weapons afterward.
This disarmament effort is part of a broader strategy to fight crime. Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of keeping kids away from violence during the launch event, which even included soldiers destroying a weapon as a symbolic gesture.
At the event, kids could trade in toy guns for other toys, which was a nice touch. This program has been around in Mexico City since 2019 but is now going nationwide, with help from various government ministries and religious groups.
Mexico has been struggling with violent crime, largely due to the illegal drug trade. In 2023 alone, there were over 31,000 homicides, with a staggering 70% linked to firearms.
While Mexico has strict gun control laws, it’s still a major issue, especially with so many guns smuggled in from the U.S. Reports suggest that between 200,000 and 500,000 firearms cross the border each year. The Mexican government is pushing for the U.S. to do more about this arms trafficking.
Jonathan Lowy, an attorney, pointed out that if the U.S. wants to tackle issues like fentanyl overdoses and organized crime, they need to address the gun supply to Mexican cartels. It’s all connected, and stopping that flow of guns is crucial.