Manhattan DA to host gun buyback this weekend as councilmember pushes program expansion

Guns are displayed on a table during a gun buy-back event at a church in Staten Island on April 24, 2021 in New York City. The one-day event, held at Calvary Chapel in Mariners Harbor, will pay a $200 pre-paid card to those who turn in an operable handgun or assault rifle, the department said. About 50 guns had been turned to the church by the early afternoon and no questions are asked to the origins of the weapon. The NYPD, the district attorney and others have organized the event as gun arrests have more than doubled so far this year on Staten Island. People can also receive a $25 pre-paid card for rifles, shotguns and airguns.
Guns are displayed on a table during a gun buy-back event at a church in Staten Island on April 24, 2021 in New York City. The one-day event, held at Calvary Chapel in Mariners Harbor, will pay a $200 pre-paid card to those who turn in an operable handgun or assault rifle, the department said. About 50 guns had been turned to the church by the early afternoon and no questions are asked to the origins of the weapon. The NYPD, the district attorney and others have organized the event as gun arrests have more than doubled so far this year on Staten Island. People can also receive a $25 pre-paid card for rifles, shotguns and airguns. Photo credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is hosting a gun buyback event at the Soul Saving Station Church in Harlem this Saturday.

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The event is a partnership between DA Alvin Bragg, the NYPD, the Soul Save Station Church and Oyate Group, a non-profit dedicated to alleviating poverty.

Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., New Yorkers will be allowed to turn over up to five guns. Those who do will receive $500 for assault rifles, $150 for rifles or shotguns and $50 for BB guns or imitation pistols.

City Councilmember Carlina Rivera announced Thursday she’s moving to introduce legislation to create a city-wide gun buyback program in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down New York gun legislation.

“I have begun the process to introduce legislation in the City Council for a citywide gun buyback initiative, so we can reduce the number of guns in circulation and save the lives of as many New Yorkers as possible,” she said in a statement. “This citywide initiative would create a community-led buyback strategy, with local organizations leading programs rather than the NYPD.”

Rivera is advocating for community-led gun buybacks that don’t include police in order to “mitigate concerns around direct contact with NYPD or other law enforcement which can limit the buyback’s effectiveness.”

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182 guns turned in at LI buyback event: AG
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Featured Image Photo Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images