(St. Albans, NY)- State Senator Malcolm A. Smith is calling on Queens District Attorney Richard Brown and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to institute another Gun Buy-Back Program in Queens.
“The Gun Buy-Back Program that was held February 21, 2009, was extremely successful. Queens had one of the largest turnouts of all of the boroughs and more than 900 guns were recovered. It is important that this program be reinstated until every illegal gun is off our streets,” said Senator Smith.
Currently, individuals surrendering operable guns receive a $100 gift card if they are surrendered at any police precinct, provided they meet several eligibility requirements. However, the Gun Buy-Back Program is more effective because it engages clergy and the community to do more outreach and the reward is larger, thus providing a better incentive to individuals to turn in their weapons.
“Gun Buy-Back programs have demonstrated results from state to state and have proven to be an effective tool to cease the inflow of guns and lower the number of homicides. Illegal guns are responsible for thousands of deaths across the country every year. Providing a monetary incentive to help rid our neighborhoods of illegal guns will help make our streets safer. The Gun Buy-Back Program is essential to the safety of our community and it must continue.”
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Malcolm A. Smith is the New York State Senate Immediate Past President Pro Tempore (2008-10)
