DA hosts gun buyback in Springfield Gardens this weekend

DA Katz, AG James and the NYPD will host a gun buyback in Springfield Gardens on Saturday, June 12, 2021.  Photo via Wikimedia Commons

By Jacob Kaye

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz is teaming up with State Attorney General Letitia James and the NYPD to host a gun buyback in Springfield Gardens this weekend.

Illegal guns can be handed in from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, June 12.

Handguns can be exchanged for an iPad and a $200 bank card, which function like debit cards. Rifles and shotguns can be exchanged for a $75 bank card. Even fake guns are accepted – BB guns and air pistols will yield a $25 reward.

There’s no limit to how many guns can be turned in during the anonymous, no questions asked event, however there’s a three $200 bank card maximum per person, according to the DA.

Those turning in guns should bring the unloaded weapon to the church inside a paper or plastic bag or inside of a shoe box and if driving to the event, the gun should be placed inside the trunk of the car.

Firearms from gun dealers or active or retired law enforcement will not be accepted.

“In these difficult days, it is important that we continue to come together as a community to reject the notion that the scourge of guns is insurmountable,” Katz said in a statement. “We must take every step we can. Every gun surrendered this Saturday is a potential life saved.”

There have been 89 shooting victims in Queens this year, according to NYPD data. At this point last year, there had been 72 shooting victims in the borough.