Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and the NYPD partnered with Southeast Queens' Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral to take 74 guns off the streets in a recent buyback event. The program, which allowed participants to trade firearms for pre-loaded bank cards with cash, brought in various types of weapons – from revolvers to 3D-printed ghost guns. The district attorney's office confirmed that the event was utterly anonymous, requiring no identification and no questions from those surrendering firearms.
With the latest haul, DA Katz's office has now collected 617 firearms through these initiatives. "Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety," Katz stated, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office. NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch noted that, with more than 2,400 firearms recovered this year by the NYPD alone, gun violence is notably low for the beginning of the year. The efforts reflect a collaborative approach to address gun-related incidents within the community.
The press release detailed the breakdown of the firearms received: 28 revolvers, 23 pistols, five assault weapons, four 3D-printed ghost guns, three shotguns, two rifles, one derringer pistol, and eight other unspecified operable weapons. These events are essential, as State Attorney General Letitia James highlights, with each firearm surrendered representing "a potential tragedy avoided and life saved."
The collaboration for this event was not just local, the Office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James also co-sponsored the initiative, reinforcing the statewide commitment to reducing gun violence. "We will continue to protect communities across New York and be a part of the solution against gun violence," James stated in the press release. This event, alongside the NYPD's ongoing efforts, contributes to the New York's proactive stance to ensure the safety of its residents and foster safer neighborhoods throughout the city.
