Gun Buyback in Queens Nets Nearly 1,000

New York, NY —

The NYPD says 919 guns were traded in for cash at the most recent gun buyback program, in Queens. That brings the total to over 3,500 guns handed in at houses of worship around the city in the last six months. Councilman James Sanders says many of the guns were brought in by seniors, on behalf of their more wary children.

SANDERS: People were not coming in themselves. They were sending it in through their parents because they may have wanted to avoid what I call the roach motel effect, where you may check in but not check out.

Police officials insist that all trade-ins are confidential. More than $630,000 in federal funds have been disbursed for the gun buybacks. Each gun turned in is worth a $200 bank card.