Nearly 200 firearms were taken out of circulation at a community gun buyback in at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Clinton Hill on July 18.
Locals surrendered a total of 191 firearms at the event, including nine assault weapons, 162 handguns and four long guns, according to the Attorney General’s office, which hosted the event in partnership with the District Attorney, the NYPD, and Emmanuel Baptist Church.
The first 60 participants in the “no ID, no questions asked” buyback received a $100 retail gift card. Those who turned in operable handguns and assault rifles received a $500 bank card, while ghost or 3D-printed guns were exchanged for $200. Each rifle or shotgun earned $75 and air guns, imitation pistols or non-operable firearms earned $25.
Brooklynites traded in their firearms for bank cards and gift cards. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez
“Every gun removed from our communities is a potential life saved and crisis averted,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “This weekend’s gun buyback event resulted in the removal of 191 unwanted guns from our streets, marking a critical step in our fight to protect our communities from gun violence.”
Since she took office in 2019, James’ office has helped remove nearly 10,000 guns from the streets of New York City.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said buybacks help prevent firearms from being used in crimes, suicides or accidental shootings involving children.
“I sleep better at night after events like this, knowing that close to 200 weapons are no longer in homes and potentially on our streets,” he said. “As Brooklyn continues to experience a historically safe year and summer in terms of gun violence, we are committed to keep reducing the proliferation of guns, engaging our communities and further improving public safety.”
In a statement, Dr. Shareka N. Newton, senior pastor-elect of Emmanuel Baptist Church, said hosting the buyback was a small make the community safer for children and families.
“I am from Brooklyn, and I know firsthand the difference a safe, caring community can make in the life of a young person,” she said. “I was able to grow, dream, and become who I am because people in this community helped protect and nurture me.”
NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch (center) said police have removed more than 2,500 guns from the streets of New York so far this year.Photo courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
Last year was the safest in Brooklyn history, as homicides and shooting incidents fell to record-breaking lows. So far this year, murder and shooting incidents are down significantly in the borough, according to NYPD data, and crime is down citywide, too. So far this year, overall crime across the five boroughs is down just over 6%, while shooting incidents are down more than 7%.
Earlier this month, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced that “NYPD delivered the fewest shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history for the first half of the year.” She also added that murders are down in Brooklyn with “all-time lows.” Still, the borough has been shaken by outbursts of violence, including a Fourth of July shooting that left eight people — including four children — injured in Coney Island.
“Every gun recovered is a potential tragedy avoided and life saved,” Tisch said after the July 18 buyback. “Thanks to the NYPD’s precision policing strategy, and the men and women in uniform who do this dangerous work, we have removed over 2,700 guns from our streets so far this year and driven down gun violence and murders to record lows. We will continue to invest in these important programs with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”