Gun buyback on Feb. 21 - no questions asked

New York City is seeking to clean up the streets of Queens through hosting a gun buyback program.
The “Queens South Cash for Guns Program” will provide a $200 bank card for people who turn in either legal or illegal guns.
“The ultimate goal of this law enforcement initiative is to get as many guns as possible off the streets of Queens County in order to reduce firearm violence and bring about safer neighborhoods for all residents,” said District Attorney Richard A. Brown.
The event will be taking place for one day only, Saturday, February 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop-off sites are located at six different churches in the Rockaways and southern part of Queens.
Operable handguns, rifles and shotguns will be accepted. Functional Air Pistols and BB guns can be traded in for a $20 bank card. Exchanges will be completely anonymous - no questions asked.
Participants surrendering a weapon must make sure that it is unloaded and carried in a plastic bag, or wrapped in paper, or placed in a shoe box.
Guns will not be accepted from active or retired law enforcement officials and licensed gun dealers.
The program is focused on neighborhoods in the Rockaways and south Queens, where homicides increased from 43 to 71 in 2008, according to Brown.
“The support of the community is critical to the success of this program and emblematic of the level of cooperation needed by law enforcement to ensure the safety of everyone,” he said.
For more information on ther “Queens South Cash for Guns Program,” call 3-1-1.