NYPD Community Affairs Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, GatewayJFK Executive Director Scott Grimm-Lyon, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and New York State Attorney General Letitia James look over firearms collected in the buyback (Photo Courtesy of Queens DA)
June 14, 2021 By Christina Santucci
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz partnered with state Attorney General Letitia James to hold a gun buyback in Springfield Gardens over the weekend – and the event netted nearly 80 firearms.
“Every gun that we get off the streets is a potential life saved, a potential tragedy averted,” the DA said in a statement.
A total of 79 working and non-working firearms were exchanged Saturday at St. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church for cash rewards and electronics – with no questions asked by authorities.
Those who turned in guns at the buyback received bank cards with values ranging from $25 to $200, depending on the type of weapon and whether it was operable. Some participants also were given Apple iPads in return for their firearms.
Saturday’s buyback was co-sponsored by Gateway JFK, St. Luke Cathedral of Laurelton, St. Mary Magdalene and the New York City Police Foundation.
Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman and Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers also joined Katz and James at a news conference following the event to speak out against gun violence.
“Gun violence threatens our communities and puts New Yorkers in harm’s way every day,” James said in a statement. “It is more critical now than ever, especially during gun violence awareness month, that we take measures to curb this devastation and protect our neighborhoods and families.”
Gun violence awareness month began in New York in June 2013, as shootings generally increase in the city during the summertime months.
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