By: Ashley Ritchie

At Herb Bauer Sporting Goods in Fresno, Barry Bauer is preparing for a gun buy-back program of his own.

"This is the commercial version of the city's version," Barry Bauer, owner, said.

It was a version that touted the idea of getting a handle on crime by giving criminals gift cards.

"In terms of, is it going to stop any crimes, are the bad guys gonna have guns? Of course the bad guys are still gonna have guns. It's only the honest citizens that are probably turning them in," Bauer said.

Bauer says taking in used guns is something he's done for years.

Now he's simply following the lead of the police department and making it an actual program.

"We're offering to take guns I guess off the street or from people who don't want them anymore. I'm calling it unwanted guns. And we're recycling them back into the community," he said.

Bauer says his program is different than the city's because it will pay people more for their guns and cost the city nothing.

"I was out there and they had oodles of police all over the place collecting these guns and they were prepared to spend 10 hours and at least a dozen officers. That's pretty expensive," Bauer said.

But Fresno police aren't amused.

Chief Jerry Dyer would not go on camera for an interview, but spokesperson Jeff Cardinale said "The chief is very, very disappointed with what Herb Bauer is doing. And the store is acting unprofessional."

"I guess he's thinking this as a competitive program to the city's program. It shouldn't be a competitive program. I'm doing exactly the same thing their program's doing," Bauer said.

Over at "The Range" in Fresno, they agree with Bauer.

"There's over 220 million firearms in households in the United States. And the approach that demonizes the weapon as opposed to criminals that misuse the weapons I think is not good thinking," Ron Sawl, ‘The Range' owner, said.

"Maybe the city and police are missing the point," Bauer said.

Bauer says despite the Chief's disappointment, he has no intention of pulling the trigger on something he's been doing for years.

Herb Bauer's buyback program starts September 15th.

You can bring in operational or non-operational guns.

If they can resale your gun, you'll get cash. If not, you'll still receive a gift card for the store.

And background checks will be done on anyone buying one of the turned in guns.

Herb Bauer will not accept assault weapons.

Gun owners must present a valid California ID or driver's license.