Miami police buyback 167 guns from Floridians to arm Ukrainian forces

Florida residents sold 167 assault rifles and pistols to Miami police at modest prices as part of an initiative to send firearms to Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russia's invasion.

Authorities gave residents $50 for handguns, $100 for shotguns and $150 for assault rifles such as AK-47s or AR-15s.

According to a Daily Mail report, the "Guns 4 Ukraine" program allowed Florida residents to turn in their guns to police earlier Saturday with "no questions asked."

Citizens lined up in their cars and motorcycles to pass the guns to police, who then inspected them. Officers had to confirm that the guns were not stolen or part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

For his part, City Commissioner Ken Russell said the initiative was an "unprecedented effort" to help Ukrainians "in this time of need," while getting guns off Miami's streets.

"Many people were skeptical that a city could do this, but we have found a way. We are here to help them in this time of need, and they have shown courage," Russell told The Miami Herald.

The city has not yet signed an agreement with a licensed arms exporter, but officials hope to ship the weapons to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

The Miami government plans to ship the weapons to the police department in Irpin, Ukraine, a suburb of Kiev, where police officers have reported shortages of pistols and rifles.

Critics argue that the weapons are too simple to help Ukraine resist Vladimir Putin's attack on their nation and that getting the weapons overseas is a complex process.

Others skeptical of the plan point out that Florida law requires that any weapons turned over to a state official must be turned over to the local sheriff. 

The sheriff could choose to loan the gun to other departments, destroy it or sell it to benefit a state fund, but they are generally not allowed to ship guns overseas, The Washington Post reported.

However, Rusell said the U.S. State Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have approved the city's initiative to send the weapons to Irpin. They will also send helmets and bulletproof vests.