Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and the New York City Police Department announced that 79 guns were collected today at St. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church in Springfield Gardens, Queens. The gun buyback comes as the city has experienced an increase in gun violence and sought to curb this devastation by accepting working and non-working unloaded firearms — with no questions asked — in exchange for compensation.

The gun buy-back event was co-sponsored by Gateway JFK, St. Luke Cathedral of Laurelton, St. Mary Magdalene and the New York City Police Foundation.

DA Katz said, ““It is important that we continue to come together as a community to reject the idea that this scourge of gun violence is insurmountable. We must take every step that we can. Every gun that we get off the streets is a potential life saved, a potential tragedy averted. I want to thank Attorney General Letitia James, the NYPD and all our community partners for their support and all unwavering commitment to public safety.”

NYS Attorney General Letitia James said, “Gun violence threatens our communities and puts New Yorkers in harm’s way every day. It is more critical now than ever, especially during gun violence awareness month, that we take measures to curb this devastation and protect our neighborhoods and families. My office will continue to do everything we can to preserve public safety and ensure safer streets. I thank District Attorney Katz and our partners in law enforcement for their crucial collaboration and support.”

Gateway JFK Executive Director Scott Grimm-Lyon said, “We are very pleased we were able to partner with the DA’s office and the 105 Precinct to help get these guns out of our neighborhood. It’s a great example of government being responsive to the concerns of the business and residential community and doing something that really has a positive and measurable impact on our quality of life.”

Also speaking out against gun violence at the buy-back Saturday were Assembly member Alicia Hyndman and City Council member Selvena Brooks-Powers.

Today’s buy-back was the fourth of DA Katz’s administration. Combined, they have collected 285 guns.

Photo links below:

DAKatz_GunBuyBack_06_12_2021 DAKatz_GunBuyBack_06_12_2021 2