Hip-hop Mogul Michael Williams Creates ‘Guns for Greatness’: Gun Buyback Program.

Truth be told it’s sad that we as a nation have programs to buy back guns from our youth, but the reality is real. I was first introduced to such a program from a family friend in Chicago who informed me that the state had a gun exchange law between cops and criminal offenders. Earlier in the year I read about a church in Ohio that held a a “Guns for Gift Cards Exchange,” so these programs are popping up everywhere ans just maybe saving some lives. Meet a new hopeful gun exchange program ‘Guns for Greatness’ this program would reward New York’s young gunslingers with mentorship and Beyonce concert tickets for The Mrs. Carter Show. Created by  Hip-hop mogul Michael (Blue) Williams, the head of Family Tree Entertainment, awaits approval of the private-sector program from NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

Williams has pitched the city’s first private-sector gun buyback program to NYPD brass and is waiting for Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly’s okay.

“We want to get as many guns off the streets, and if this works, we’d like to support it,” Kelly told the Daily News, adding that the proposal needs more study.

If given the green light, Williams — who has managed the wildly successful careers of OutKast and Cee-Lo Green and has the ear of hip-hop and rap royalty — said he’ll solicit help from none other than Beyoncé.

“The Beyoncé show is coming to Brooklyn; the Jay-Z show is coming to Yankee Stadium. Our goal is to reach out to individuals who are in my industry, in my world and who I have an association with and get their support,” Williams, 43, said Monday.

“I think we should all work together to help get guns off the streets,” Williams said.

Williams hopes to launch the program — dubbed “Guns for Greatness” — on March 23 at a Brooklyn church. He has raised $75,000 for the program is working to boost that figure to $100,000.

“This program aims to provide young people with an opportunity to receive guidance and inspiration from committed mentors, an important option that will enable them to experience possibilities other than a life surrounded by gun violence and unnecessary shootings and killing,” Williams’ letter to Kelly reads.

Williams said he was prompted to do something about gun violence after his business partner, Chris Lighty, co-founder of Violator records, shot himself to death in August. He said his own recent arrest for bringing a gun he had registered in Georgia but not in New York through LaGuardia Airport was also an “eye-opening experience.”

We’ll keep an eye on this story, what are your thoughts do we need more programs like this?