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HOUSTON<\/strong> \u2013 In July, Houston police collected 845 firearms during the first buyback program. <\/p>\n The city gave out $94,000 in gift cards, paid through federal grants from the American Rescue Plan. <\/p>\n On Wednesday, the council will vote on a $539,000 federal grant to Blackhawk Network Inc. to purchase gift cards for future gun buyback programs.<\/p>\n Council Member Tiffany Thomas told KPRC 2\u2032s Rilwan Balogun the next event will be in District F. She plans to support the Wednesday vote. She said gun buyback programs are tools the city needs to use to reduce gun violence.<\/p>\n \u201cTrust me, there are things that our law enforcement community does need,\u201d said at-large council member Mike Knox. \u201cThe 530,000 will be better spent on things that would actually impact crime.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayor Sylvester Turner said gun buyback programs, in addition to having more officers on the street and updating technology, among others, will help cut crime.<\/p>\n Ad<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s based on all of these components working in tandem with one another, and when that happens, you do have a safer city,\u201d Turner said. \u201cOne Safe Houston is costing $53 million. All of these are federal dollars that we are using to create a much safer city.\u201d<\/p>\n