A three-hour county gun-buy back program netted 330 illegal weapons on Saturday, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced at a press conference Tuesday.
Participants, who were granted anonymity and paid up to $400 for a functioning assault rifle, sold 195 handguns, 15 assault rifles, seven sawed-off shotguns and two Tec-9’ semiautomatic pistols, according to a press release.
“The Gun Buyback Program, using asset forfeiture dollars, has taken over 2,613 guns off our streets before they fell into the wrong hands,” Mangano said in a statement. “Community support is critical to the success of this program, and we appreciate the members of the clergy who have participated in this effort to take even more fire arms off our streets. By working together, we can ensure that Nassau County remains the safest suburban county in the nation.”
Rice touted the program as an effective means of taking illegal weapons off the streets.
“Gun violence has ended far too many promising young lives, torn close-knit families apart, and held once-thriving neighborhoods hostage,” Rice said in a statement. “We must do whatever we can to reduce the threat of gun violence and get dangerous firearms off the streets. Every single taken in at this weekend’s buyback event means one less weapon that can be stolen, found by a child, or used in the commission of a crime. I am proud to work with my fellow law enforcement agencies, members of the clergy, and community organizations to do whatever we can to eliminate gun violence in our neighborhoods.”
Police Commissioner Tom Daley also vouched for the program’s effectiveness in the press release.
The program is funded by forfeiture funds from the Nassau County Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office.
Reach reporter Dan Glaun by e-mail at dglaun@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x203. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
