Mexico City Swaps Guns for Games

Reuters brings word of Mexico City's latest plan to rid itself of inner-city violence: a program to exchange guns for cash, computers and Xbox consoles. The campaign, which launched Tuesday, uses the caliber of a weapon to determine its value in the trade. A high-powered weapon such as a machine gun is eligible for a computer, valued at $769, while owners of smaller guns can choose between an Xbox and cash. It is unclear which version of the Xbox hardware Mexican authorities are offering--the original Xbox released in 2001 or the 2005 followup, Xbox 360. According to police spokesperson Ricardo Olayo, 17 guns were submitted to police on the first day of the program. The city vows to conceal the identities of those participating in the program, and any confiscated weaponry will be destroyed by the army.