Attorney General James Announces 638 Guns Turned in at Syracuse Gun Buyback

New York – In a significant move against gun violence, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the successful recovery of 638 firearms at a recent community buyback event in Syracuse. Hosted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), alongside the New York State Police and the Syracuse Police Department, this initiative marked another stride in the ongoing battle to keep New Yorkers safe.

Attorney General James has been steadfast in her mission since taking office in 2019, removing over 9,000 guns from circulation across the state. Today’s buyback event showcased the collective effort of local communities and nearby regions, turning unwanted firearms into a force against gun violence.

“Gun buyback events empower members of local communities to turn in unwanted firearms, becoming part of the solution,” stated Attorney General James. “Each recovered firearm is a potential life saved and a tragedy avoided.”

The event yielded an impressive collection: 130 assault weapons, 333 handguns, 2 ghost guns, and 150 long guns. This brings the total number of firearms removed from New York communities by AG James to over 9,000.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh emphasized the importance of such events in the fight against gun violence: “Buybacks are a crucial part of our strategy to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer. I commend Attorney General James for her partnership with the Syracuse Police Department to implement this effective program.”

“Events like these, combined with proactive law enforcement efforts, are key in driving down gun violence while protecting law-abiding citizens,” added Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile. The Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence Director, Lateef Johnson Kinsey, expressed gratitude for the support of Attorney General James: “Fewer guns on our streets mean safer neighborhoods. We’re grateful for AG James’ assistance in this crucial initiative.”

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