Schenectady Gun Buyback: Attorney General James Collects 367 Firearms

New York – In a bold move to combat gun violence, Attorney General Letitia James announced the successful collection of 367 firearms at Schenectady’s recent gun buyback event. The event, a collaborative effort between the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), New York State Police, Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office, and local police departments, marked another significant step in the fight to keep New Yorkers safe.

Attorney General James has been relentless in her pursuit to rid the streets of firearms since taking office in 2019. Today’s event brings her total number of removed guns to over 9,500. “Every gun taken off the streets of Schenectady today was a step in the right direction to keep New Yorkers safe,” she emphasized.

The buyback yielded an array of firearms, including 147 assault weapons, 92 handguns, and 65 long guns. Such programs are vital in preventing firearms from falling into the wrong hands and complementing the overall strategy to reduce gun violence.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James praised the initiative: “We’re proud to partner with the Attorney General’s Office on this critical mission of improving safety in our local communities.” Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of community engagement in this fight against gun violence.

Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature, thanked Attorney General James and law enforcement partners for providing a safe and simple way to dispose of unwanted firearms. Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara emphasized the personal decision behind each firearm turned in, which brings peace of mind and reduces risks in homes with children or vulnerable individuals.

Assemblymember Phil Steck highlighted the national significance of events like this, saying, “These programs help reduce violence and get as many firearms off our streets as possible.” Chief Michael Brown of the Rotterdam Police Department commended all involved for their dedication to public safety through initiatives such as today’s gun buyback event.