City council members propose gun buyback in effort to reduce gun violence

SAN ANTONIO – Two San Antonio City Council members are expected to announce a joint proposal for a citywide gun buyback program. 

District 2 Councilwoman Jada Andrews-Sullivan and District 9 Councilman John Courage will formally announce their plan to submit a council consideration request for the buyback program at the San Antonio Police Department on Tuesday morning.

RELATED: Walmart to reopen El Paso store with memorial for massacre victims

The idea came after  two mass shootings unfolded in less than 24 hours -- one in El Paso, the other in Dayton, Ohio. A news release cited data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which pegged Texas as the leader in firearm-related deaths with 3,513 in 2017.

RELATED: At least 26 people arrested for mass attack threats since Dayton 

"The buyback program’s goal is to reduce gun violence by reducing the number of firearms in circulation and preventable, accidental deaths," according to a news release.

The press conference will be held Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.