Attorney General James Takes Dozens of Guns Off the Streets at Brooklyn Gun Buyback in Joint Effort with DA Gonzalez and NYPD

 

AG’s Statewide Gun Buyback Program Has Now Taken More Than 2,750 Unwanted Firearms Out of Homes and Off of Streets

  New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 48 firearms were turned in to law enforcement at a gun buyback event hosted by her office, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and the New York City Police Department. The gun buyback comes as New York City has experienced record high levels of gun violence and the event sought to curb this devastation by accepting working and non-working unloaded firearms — with no questions asked — in exchange for compensation.

The buyback resulted in 48 guns, including several assault rifles, being turned in. Since 2013, the Attorney General’s Office has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected more than 2,750 firearms.

Metro by T-Mobile donated 150 Apple iPads for individuals who turned in guns during today’s buyback. This important contribution helped to bring an innovative approach to gun buybacks, whereby individuals are further incentivized to turn in guns in exchange for the popular tablets. The Attorney General thanks Metro by T-Mobile for this important contribution.

“With record levels of gun violence continuing to ravage our communities, providing a way for New Yorkers to turn in dangerous firearms is a critical step in ensuring safe streets,” said Attorney General James. “Our gun buyback program is a key component in our ongoing efforts to keep these weapons from falling into the wrong hands. Our ‘no questions asked’ approach also allows the ability for individuals to turn in guns in their possession without fear of legal retribution. My office remains committed to protecting communities from potential tragedies, and I thank District Attorney Gonzalez, the NYPD, and all our partners in government and law enforcement for their continued work to support this vital program.”

“With today’s gun buyback, we didn’t just reduce the inventory of guns that are out there and can fall into the wrong hands, we also provided the community a chance to get involved and send the message that ending gun violence is up to all of us,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Gonzalez. “This program is one small part of my office’s multi-pronged approach to reducing the shootings and making Brooklyn safer. I would like to thank Attorney General Letitia James, the NYPD, and Bethesda Healing Center for making this buyback event a success.”