NEW YORK—The NYPD’s Gun Buy Back day, held last weekend was deemed a success by organizers. Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau and New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly announced on Wednesday the collection of 744 guns - including 255 revolvers, 175 semi-automatic pistols and 10 assault weapons - as part of the 2008 Manhattan Gun Buyback Program.
The initiative, the first of its kind in Manhattan, gave a $200 bankcard to anyone surrendered a working firearm, no questions asked, at five participating churches in Harlem, between 115th and 155th Streets. Additionally, functional BB guns and air pistols were exchanged for a $20 bankcard. Collection day was on Saturday, October 25th.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said of the program’s results: “Our first gun buyback program in Manhattan was a tremendous success. I am thankful to the ministers who opened their churches to get illegal guns off the city streets.”
“Six years ago, with crime on the decline, we started a Cash for Guns program to help get guns off of the streets. District Attorney Morgenthau and participating city churches put their faith in our efforts, and together we have realized the largest take to date in the church-drop gun buy-back. It’s a remarkable return.” Added Kelly.
Following a string of shootings that took place in Harlem over the summer months, the issue of gun control is on the minds of many local residents.
“I think it should make a difference ‘cause people need money. Especially people that have guns, they need the money. So I think it’s a good thing that they’re doing that, and get the guns off the street, because there’s way too many guns on the street, way too many. I live right here (on 152nd and Saint Nicholas Place), and one time they had a shooting. I was sitting on the phone and luckily they shot that way and it didn’t come through my window. A lot of innocent people get killed like that,” said local Tanya Eley.
The program was sponsored by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD.
According to the International Action Network on Small Arms, a 2003 study conducted in the US showed that keeping a gun in the home increases the risk of somebody in the household dying – whether by homicide, suicide or accident – by 41 percent.
Q & A: What Do the Locals Think?
