Rockland Gun Buyback Collects 147 Weapons

CLARKSTOWN, NY — Including handguns, assault rifles and shotguns and a few antiques, a total of 147 firearms were turned in at a gun buyback event Wednesday hosted by the New York Attorney General’s Office office, Rockland County District Attorney's Office, and the Clarkstown Police Department.

The gun buyback was well attended, said Clarkstown Police Chief Jeffrey Wanamaker, "resulting in removing potentially dangerous weapons from our streets."

The tally: 57 handguns, 63 rifles and shotguns, four assault rifles, and 23 non-working or antique guns.

"It is our belief that the removal of one gun could save a life," said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh. "Special thanks goes out to Attorney General Letitia James and the Clarkstown Police Department for their collaboration in this effort. This event made Rockland safer today, and I couldn’t be more grateful to those involved."

Since 2013, OAG has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected nearly 3,400 firearms.

"Gun violence is an ongoing threat to public safety and it jeopardizes the welfare of our families and children," James said. "Getting these dangerous weapons off our streets is essential to eradicating gun violence and protecting communities from harm."

In exchange for the firearms, OAG offered monetary compensation, in the form of prepaid gift cards, and Apple iPads when an unloaded gun was received and secured by an officer on-site.