Mexican police offer Xboxes for guns

As part of a trial anticrime initiative to get people to give up firearms, police offer a trade-in for consoles and PCs.

Police attempting to tackle the problem of crime in the inner-city barrio of Tepito, Mexico, have come up with a novel idea. They're offering citizens game consoles in exchange for guns, reports Reuters.

Under the program, part of a push against drug violence, a small gun can be exchanged for cash or for an Xbox console. The report doesn't state whether the consoles are the original Xbox or Xbox 360.

High-calibre weapons such as machine guns would be swapped for a computer valued at 8,500 pesos ($769).

The weapons the police receive will be destroyed by the army, and those who give them up are promised anonymity. A police spokesperson reported that on the first day of the scheme, March 27, 17 guns had been handed in.

368 Comments

  • bunnyman14

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 8:15 pm PT

    sounds like a good idea to me (seriously), i wish i had a gun and lived mexico (not seriously). However when u think 'bout it most ppl that have guns probly do so 4 a reason, and chances r they probly really need that gun...it'd be funny if u'd get the xbox packaged w/a free version of GRAW.

  • boobush

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 4:21 pm PT

    I used to live there, this guy's uncle sells a large quantity of SMGs for as low as 800 pesos and up to 3000 pesos. I think the more expensive ones were customs.

  • burnzilla

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 11:56 am PT

    Its really sad what most of you "gringos" think about Mexico(but no all of you). Most of you people are ill informed and just keep following the typical Mexican stereotype you see in the movie and see on tv, it just makes me so sad that the racist or ignorant gamers here keep posting blindly whatever the heck they want to post without actually taking into account the feelings of my countryman.
    (this applies to all articles involving Mexico)

  • ObiKKa

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 10:24 am PT

    I'm sure that it would be the Xbox 1 console, coz both the Xbox 360 & PS3 uses up just under 200 watts (though, I am not sure of the full capacity of their respective power supply), while the last generation consoles would, in theory be using only under 20 watts or so. I made that guess because the Wii uses 17 watts or so. I've seen these numbers on a chart in a blog article in one of the branches under the arms of Joytech (spelling?) or endagdet.com.

  • scastro

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 4:47 am PT

    Come on, this is only a way to invite some people to give away their guns, the really important offer is the "no questions policy", the Xbox is only a small gift.
    Of course Mexico City has its problems, as any big city in the world with a great contrast between rich and poor. I remember a time when NY was a nightmare, even now, I bet there are a few places in any major US city that you should not visit alone.

  • Ultimate-Playa

    Posted Apr 8, 2007 7:28 pm PT

    /rolleyes

    I come to wonder how the Mexican Police can even afford Xboxes?

    Drug trade I say.

    ElHypno "this makes me want to buy a really cheap gun and head to mexico"

    Dude, dont do that I know a guy who is doing fifteen years in a mexican hell hole prision because he "forgot" that he was carring firearms and crossed the Mexico/ America bridge.... so unless you know some way to enter thier country illegally, This probably isnt the best idea.

    Wow, how interesting.... Mexico isnt a violent place? Then why are they tyring to get guns out of peoples hands with game systems? America has done the same thing in the past in NYC and L.A. but everyone knows what crime infested hell holes those places used to be. Yeah and I bet the border security over there on the Mexican's side is much more tighter than it is on our side.

  • alkfuel6

    Posted Apr 8, 2007 5:33 pm PT

    Do video games inspire violent crime in Mexico as they do in the US? If so wouldnt this be just a never ending cycle?

  • UrbanMessiah

    Posted Apr 8, 2007 4:10 pm PT

    Sweet...Perhaps i'll had over to TJ, pick up a gun for cheap (I know where to go to get one for as little as $50) and then trade it in over at Tepito for another Xbox, just to have a back up. -=x

  • frogman666

    Posted Apr 8, 2007 9:03 am PT

    hmm wonder how well this is working I know in the states they offer food for guns and they have a good turn out but I aint trading my 9 for nothing its a $445 hole making home security modifier LOL

  • Mush_Mouth

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 4:36 pm PT

    ElHypno is exactly right. And anybody with the name "boobush" apparently only listens to tv and the liberal media and doesn't think for themselves.

  • boobush

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 12:11 pm PT

    ElHypno, you're full of crap.

  • ThePhilatron

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 11:56 am PT

    Appeasement won't work guys

  • Vash67

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 11:32 am PT

    I have nothing to say about this.... except wow.

  • Vedamdren

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 11:09 am PT

    I remember Toys R Us did this once in the early 90s, but they were just giving out toys for guns.

  • ElHypno

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 10:12 am PT

    "For all of you who think Mexicans are just a bunch of bandits who go around shooting indiscriminately, stop perpetuating the stereotype that Americans are ignorant. THERE'S A DRUG WAR GOING ON. The police themselves are corrupt as are the politicians who owe debts to the cartels. This is not a solution nor is it a step in the right direction. All thats going to happen is the police will resell the weapons so that they can trickle back down to the people who had them in the first place."

    They said it not me, besides, anytime i tell the truth about Mexico and the state it is in due to its inhabitants I get banned for seven days from this site. I will simply say this and be done.... Look at mexico.... look at its corrupt government.... look at the people in charge..... Now, do you want all that drama in our country? Didnt think so.

    Mexico City isnt third world, neither are the resort areas. But that doesnt make the whole country any less violent or dangerous. It would be like me saying, Oh yeah Malibu is this safe utopia which means the whole Unites States is this safe utopia. Most of Mexico is a crap hole, which is why half of mexico just flooded the United States. Places like Juraez and Nuavo Loredo are exactly the problem. I just think people need to fix thier own country before coming over to another one. I didnt move to Japan or Canada because my government is flushing this nation down the toilet. I am staying right here and fighting in the only way we can here in America. I vote..... Cant be there to Vote in Mexicio and save the country if your all over here.

  • ElHypno

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 9:55 am PT

    "this makes me want to buy a really cheap gun and head to mexico"

    Dude, dont do that I know a guy who is doing fifteen years in a mexican hell hole prision because he "forgot" that he was carring firearms and crossed the Mexico/ America bridge.... so unless you know some way to enter thier country illegally, This probably isnt the best idea.

    Wow, how interesting.... Mexico isnt a violent place? Then why are they tyring to get guns out of peoples hands with game systems? America has done the same thing in the past in NYC and L.A. but everyone knows what crime infested hell holes those places used to be.

  • Col-Neil

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 2:15 am PT

    Ugh just a weak way of dealing with a problem they dont have the stomach to do properly

  • F18Hornet7

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 1:05 am PT

    and a FREE COPY OF GRAW 2, Sweet!!

  • xtremeg4m3r

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 6:43 pm PT

    Thats stupid.

  • downPlayDemon

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 4:28 pm PT

    do these people realize the gun is probably worth more than the PC? They can just sell it

  • NWA_31

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 1:36 pm PT

    Thats stupid, you can make more money by selling the gun

  • Bloodhawk_DX

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 10:40 pm PT

    Wow, I've heard some nerdy lines in the past, but vhuynh67 takes the cake.

    Too bad America doesn't offer stuff like this. Then again, I don't think Americans would give away their guns. We love to shoot each other.

  • vhuynh67

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 8:03 pm PT

    I wonder what they will give me for my dual stinger missle launchers mounted on top of my Warthog. What about my Scorpion Tank and a pair of SPNKr Rocket Launchers fully loaded. Oh, and my MA5B Assault Rifle. I really don't like this one. It doesn't do as much damage as my Fuel Rod Cannon. Maybe the Mexican police would give me a PS3 for my personal arsenal. BTW, I don't want no Wii for that.

    Now, I also want a copy of GRAW 2 in exchange for my Banshee and a cache of plasma grenades. I'll take it down to that whatever border town and open up shop to have people play XBoxes and GRAW 2 for free! Yeah!

  • thomasonfa

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 1:00 pm PT

    Let me get this right...I can go to Mexico and trade in my old Xbox for a gun??? SWEET

  • lanista

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 12:43 am PT

    interesting the police feel it's only Xbox that will tempt a criminal to hand over their gun

  • GrgSpunk

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 10:10 pm PT

    Now THIS is gun control done right!

  • wonkisjones

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 9:52 pm PT

    if i only had a gun... and the money to go to mexico city... maybe i'll wait and save more money for my 360... sigh..

  • AbrahamPenaloza

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 9:30 pm PT

    lol

  • aldrenar47

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 5:06 pm PT

    this makes me want to buy a really cheap gun and head to mexico

  • androflash

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 10:51 am PT

    Its funny but its algo a good idea.

    Yo soy 100% mexicano y muy orgulloso de serlo y la verdad si es sierto ke mexico tiene muchos problemas pero esta mejorando. Ademas, yo no me guiaria por los estereotipos kmo muchos aki lo hacen pork los "gringos" tienen uno peor. Y strife2k estoy kompletamente de akuerdo kntigo, si van a borrar mensajes aki, empiecen kn los insultos.

  • BWRoss79

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 1:29 am PT

    silly

  • Noobberry

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 8:50 pm PT

    lol, thats funny

  • lightdarksamus

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 6:55 pm PT

    Wow my shotgun for a Xbox... I would rather stick with my bat and pinata

  • HyperMetaDragon

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 5:12 pm PT

    : \
    Wow...

  • ChucklesMginty

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 9:22 am PT

    huh one of my friends is in Mexico at the moment.

  • RazMasters

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 9:59 pm PT

    "No wonder Mexico's in the shape that it's in"

    Some of the comments I've seen littering these boards are amazing. You do realize -- while it has plenty of problems -- that Mexico is not a third-world country, don't you? On top of that, many countries which do bear that poor status are not war-torn lands filled with barbarians, or anything of the sort. As a matter of fact, I would expect any gamer (particularly those frustrated with the likes of Jack Thompson and his ilk) to be appreciative of this move. It, like Penny Arcade's "Child's Play", is something which shows how games can promote anti-violence.

  • keeperofgames

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 6:37 pm PT

    Yeah, I'm sure drug lords will gladly trade in their guns to play Halo on Xbox Live......

    No wonder Mexico's in the shape that it's in

  • hikari33

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 5:59 pm PT

    wow this is awsome lol

  • SonOfSparda018

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 9:04 am PT

    Nice initiative.

  • Jenkins_2005

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 8:10 am PT

    Not a good idea also because if i had a gun, i would just rob alot of people or shops and then id have more than enough to buy myself more than an old Xbox, plus still have my trusty gun to commit more crime.

    Oh, and about the double post, i couldnt give a s**t

  • Jenkins_2005

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 8:06 am PT

    not a good idea for the police to do this, seeing as some people see video games as a way of training to use real weapons and commit crimes. Mexico has let it self in for more crime than it can handle. Unlucky Mexico, unlucky.

  • neo16161616

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 7:00 am PT

    HAHAHAHA! Funny stuff going on in the land down south. Will illeagal Immigrants go back for the systems?

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 3:07 am PT

    Hope this'll help to lower the amount of violence....

  • virriador

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 5:55 pm PT

    Too bad i dont have guns!

  • andrewglesener

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 12:51 pm PT

    Sweet! Im going to mexico next week!

  • black_ice23

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 12:10 pm PT

    i wonder what i could get if i traded in a rocket launcher? a HDTV or a car perhaps?

  • Ninjachef04

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 11:55 am PT

    Looks Like I'm going on a road trip.

  • PyroSean30

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 11:14 am PT

    lol, GRAW is outlawed and now they're giving Xbox's away for guns

    (Kinda Ironic...)

  • MxO

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 8:03 am PT

    Well, I guess that's one way to approach a problem.

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