New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 180 firearms were turned in at a community gun buyback event in Amsterdam. The event was hosted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Amsterdam Police Department as part of an ongoing effort to combat gun violence. In addition to the guns collected in Amsterdam, an additional 82 firearms were secured from a similar event in Saranac Lake, bringing the total number of guns collected on this day to 262. Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General James has removed more than 7,662 guns from New York communities.
"Every gun taken off our streets and out of our homes is a potential tragedy averted," said Attorney General James. "Gun buyback events empower members of local communities and nearby regions to turn in their firearms and be part of the solution against gun violence. Through strong partnerships with local law enforcement, my office has been able to run successful gun buyback programs throughout New York state, and has helped local communities remove more than 7,662 firearms. I thank the City of Amsterdam’s Police Department, and all of our partners in today’s gun buyback event, for their commitment to helping safeguard New Yorkers."
The Amsterdam event resulted in 180 guns being turned in, including 17 assault weapons, 100 handguns, and 47 long guns. Following these events held in Amsterdam and Saranac Lake, Attorney General James has facilitated the removal of over 7,650 guns from New York communities.
"Gun buyback programs are a practical approach to removing illegal firearms from our communities, reducing the potential for their involvement in criminal activity," said Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara. "Supporting these initiatives reinforces our commitment to public safety and helps protect our families, children, and first responders. This event is another step in our efforts to prevent gun violence and promote safer neighborhoods. By working together, we can ensure a safer future for everyone."
"I commend not only Attorney General James but our local law enforcement for collaborating to host today’s gun buyback program in the City of Amsterdam," said Montgomery County Executive Robert Purtell. "Their efforts are the right step towards ensuring illegal and unregistered firearms are taken off the streets of our communities."
"Thank you to the New York State Attorney General and our local law enforcement partners for spearheading the recent gun buyback program in Amsterdam," said Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith. "This initiative not only promotes community safety but also fosters a collaborative spirit in our fight against gun violence. Together, we are making our neighborhoods safer for all."
"The Gloversville Police Department is proud to be part of the effort to reduce gun violence in our communities," said Gloversville Police Chief Michael F. Garavelli. "We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of illegal firearms taken off our streets by our officers over the past five years. Even small cities and rural communities are not immune from illegal firearms or 'ghost' guns as they are commonly referred to, along with the senseless violence that comes with them. This is the first time that this area has had any type of gun buyback program; we hope it is successful and not the last."
"This gun buyback event was only possible because of the strong partnership between local law enforcement and the Office of the Attorney General," said Amsterdam Police Lieutenant Joseph E. Spencer. "The work that goes into organizing and executing a gun buyback event is all worth it when we see dozens of dangerous weapons being turned in by members of the community; we are all safer as a result. I applaud Attorney General James for making gun buyback events like this a priority for her office."
"Every unwanted gun turned in by its owner is one less gun that can fall into wrong hands or be used to commit a crime or add to already abhorrent numbers of gun deaths occurring nationwide," said Amsterdam Mayor Michael Cinquanti."Our city is grateful for participating again in this program."
"The program is great way getting unsecured guns off streets properly accounted for," said Fort Plain Mayor Patrick Hanifin."This keeps guns out irresponsible hands.”
“Public safety top priority,” said Johnstown Mayor Amy Praught.“Today’s event one way creating safe environment citizens.”