Schneiderman launches statewide gun buyback program

A.G.'s office will offer cash for working and non-working guns at drop sites across New York

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced his office will be sponsoring a statewide gun buyback program in cities across New York state. During a press conference at the kickoff event in Rochester, Schneiderman announced his office will be accepting working and non-working, unloaded weapons in exchange for compensation on site in Binghamton, Poughkeepsie, Utica, Yonkers and the Buffalo suburb of Cheektowaga in the coming weeks. 

"By encouraging gun owners to turn in their weapons through our cash-for-guns program, we're removing deadly firearms from locations where they can be stolen or otherwise misused, keeping them out of the wrong hands," Schneiderman said. "Every day, my office fights to ensure all New Yorkers are safe and secure in their communities. Along with vigorously enforcing our state's gun laws, I'm proud that my office has taken this additional step to stop the outbreak of gun violence that has plagued our communities."

In 2011, close to 33,000 Americans were victims of gun-related deaths. Further, The Brady Campaign to prevent gun violence reports an average of 268 people are shot every day in America. That's 97,820 people per year.

The attorney general's office will offer money in the form of debit cards when a gun is received by law enforcement officers. Debit cards with the appropriate amount will be issued after each unloaded gun is received and screened by the officers on-site.

Guns must be transported to the drop-off site unloaded and placed in a plastic or paper bag or box. Both working and non-working firearms will be accepted, and there is no limit on the number of firearms an individual can return. Licensed gun dealers, and active or retired law enforcement officers, are not eligible for this program.

The attorney general's office will be providing the following compensation by debit card for firearms returned on site:

• $25 for antique and non-working firearms
• $50 for rifles and shotguns
• $75 for handguns
• $100 for assault weapons