Gun Buyback Program to Be Held in Brooklyn

A gun buyback program aimed to encourage people to turn in weapons with no questions asked will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at locations in Brooklyn on Sat., Dec. 15. 

People who turn in an operable weapon will receive a bank card for their contribution.

Those who turn in operable handguns will receive a $200 bank card and those who turn in operable rifles and shotguns will receive a $20 bank card. 

There are certain guidelines one must follow when dropping off a weapon:

• Guns must be placed in a plastic or paper bag or box.
• If transporting the gun by car, the gun must be transported in the trunk of the car. 
• After the gun is screened by officers and determined to be operable, individuals will be issued a cash card. 
• Individuals may surrender as many guns as they wish, but they will only receive payment for up to three guns.
• Active or retired law enforcement officers and licensed gun dealers are not eligible to participate in the program. 

Drop-off sites include Mt. Ollie Baptist Church at 1698 St. Marks Ave. at Rockaway Avenue in East New York and St. Peter's Lutheran Church at 105 Highland Place, but individuals should enter at 94 Hale Ave., in Cypress Hills. 

Contact Mt. Ollie's Reverand Reginald Bachus at 718-385-3761 or St. Peter's Bishop David Benke at 718-647-1014 for more information about the drop-off sites, or call 311 for information regarding the Brooklyn Gun Buy Back Program to Reduce Violent Crime. 

The event is sponsored by the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, the NYPD, State Senators Martin Malavé Dilan, Velmanette Montgomery and John Sampson, and State Assembly Members Rafael Espinal and William Boyland and City Council Member Erik Martin Dilan.