Mexican government swapping Xbox / PC for gang's weaponry

Here's an interesting one. It appears that a newly-elected mayor is trying desperately to restore order to the "notorious inner-city barrio of Tepito," but rather than raiding gang hangouts and throwing 'em all in the slammer, the Mexican government is looking to reward them. In a presumably last ditch effort to curb gunfighting, officials are offering up computers ( reportedly worth $769) to gunslingers who give up a "high-caliber weapon such as a machine gun," while folks coughing up smaller artillery will be blessed with an Xbox console. Notably, the effort is already seeing minor "success," as some 17 guns were turned in on the program's launch day alone. Look, we know it's a hard choice between gaming and booze (and hair, for that matter), but we seriously doubt that turning citywide bullies into hackers and couch potatoes is the ideal solution here.

[akintz @ Mar 28th 2007 8:40AM]

Oh ya... this will work great...

"Hey, Manolo, do you have an extra gun laying around?"
"Does it have to work?"
"No, I just need a gun."
"Sure, I have a few sitting around out back."
"Great! I want to go pick up an Xbox, but I don't want to trade in my gun for it. I still use it."

[Ray-- @ Mar 28th 2007 9:11AM]

yeah this is sooo stupid no wonder the city is in chaos.... now they will start shooting people to steal their guns.... "hey dont forget to pry that gun from his dead hands... we can turn it in for a new computer!"

[Pete D @ Mar 28th 2007 9:25AM]

"If" I was a "Mexican Crime Lord", I would get a group of guys together with REALLY BIG GUNS and go rob the Mexican government for all of these crates of PCs and Xboxes. Then I would have all the illegal immigrants flood the US Boarders with these units so Microsoft and Dell collapse bringing with it the entire US Economy. At which point I would make all the US Citizens, who can't find work and are in turn fleeing to Mexico to find jobs, work for nothing more than a tortilla and some beans. Poetic justice I tell you...

Viva la Revolucion!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe the free XBox or PC will solve the illegal immigration problem in the US though. Because now people won't need to come work in the US to send their kids back in Mexico a XBox or PC that they always wanted.

[zorg @ Mar 28th 2007 9:52AM]

I don't know if he's right or wrong, but I do know one thing:

It is my god-given right as a blog poster to pass judgement on the mayor of a city in a foreign country for policies related to gangsters. After all, I've seen gangsters on TV. I know exactly how they behave and what they will do in response to any given initiative.

In fact, why not replace local governments worldwide with blog posters! Yeah, that'd work!

[nigel @ Mar 28th 2007 10:55AM]

are u kidding? an illegal gun $175, an xbox 360 $399... i might take a few guns to mexico for that awesome deal.

[PDubNYC @ Mar 28th 2007 12:22PM]

who said anything about an XBox 360? Looks like you get an Xbox in exchange, and maybe a Burger King game for the bullets.

[Boynamedsue @ Mar 28th 2007 11:38AM]

i have a sig p226 i haven't used it years, and i really want a 360.

[Brian @ Mar 28th 2007 12:25PM]

If that 226 is in decent shape, you can get $450+ without even trying on the for sale board of any gun forum out there.

[Robdog @ Mar 28th 2007 1:34PM]

Is it me, or is that picture totally photoshopped? Those Xbox's are not really there... And for those of you talking about Xbox 360s - read the article, they're talking about original Xbox's, not 360s.

[klew @ Mar 28th 2007 2:25PM]

But you're just giving them murder simulators. Or expect to hear on the news that the xboxes were stolen by people who kept their guns.

[Vexorg @ Mar 28th 2007 3:16PM]

I wonder what would happen if you asked them for a copy of GRAW 2?

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 28th 2007 9:01PM]

Unfortunately organized crime was down the street with their slightly more innovative: "Even better guns for Xbox/PC" campaign.

[Dave @ Mar 29th 2007 8:01PM]

Don't they know, video games CAUSE violence?

[xchekox @ Mar 29th 2007 9:17PM]

I'm form a completely different city called Aguascalientes here in México.. that exchange program could be focused to young people who haven't commited a crime but have a gun in their houses.. an xbox is more appealing to them right now.. could prevent violence... hope so...

Anyway that lame guy who is running Mexico city is trying to do anything to look like an innovative government to match all good results from federal government..

I'm getting political here... I should just laugh at the [innovative??] program...

[Generic @ May 9th 2007 4:59AM]

Well I give that mayor props for that move. Now where can I find gangs to join, errr, tell about this thing so that they leave crime on the streets and join the rest of the online shooting gamers.