New York Attorney General, Letitia James says that 196 firearms were turned in to law enforcement at a gun buyback event hosted by her office and the Niagara Falls Police Department.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) accepts — with no questions asked — working and non-working, unloaded firearms in exchange for compensation on site.
To date, James said she has taken more than 1,600 firearms out of communities through gun buyback events and other efforts since taking office in 2019.
“Gun violence is a public health crisis that is endangering communities across the state,” she said. “From going after the violent drug rings responsible for this violence, to hosting these gun buybacks statewide, we are doing everything in our power to get guns off our streets and out of dangerous hands.
“We thank our partners in law enforcement for their invaluable support in this effort and shared commitment to ensuring all New Yorkers are safe,” she added.
James said the July 10 community gun buyback resulted in 196 guns being collected, including 92 handguns, 80 long guns, four assault rifles and 20 non-working or antique guns.
Since 2013, OAG has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected nearly 3,600 firearms.
In exchange for the firearms, OAG also offered monetary compensation, in the form of prepaid gift cards, and Apple iPads when an unloaded gun was received and secured by an officer on-site.
The New York Attorney General said gun violence is a public health crisis that is plaguing communities throughout New York, adding that the Western New York gun buyback is the latest action she has taken to combat this crisis and protect New Yorkers from harm.
This year alone, James has held eight gun buybacks across the state, and, within the past two weeks, has secured 24 guns, including 10 ghost guns, off the streets “in takedowns of violent groups terrorizing New York.”
To date, James she has taken a total of more than 1,600 guns out of communities since 2019.
