‘This could save a child.’ New Rochelle gun buyback nets 75 weapons

A total of 75 guns were voluntarily turned in a gun buyback event hosted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the New Rochelle Police Department.

Carol Wilkinson

Jun 1, 2024, 9:09 PM

Updated 208 days ago

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A total of 75 guns were voluntarily turned in a gun buyback event hosted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the New Rochelle Police Department.
New Rochelle police say about 40 gun owners showed up to turn in their weapons with no questions asked and no identification required. The event at Shiloh Baptist Church in New Rochelle marked the kickoff of Nation Gun Violence Awareness Month.
"This is huge that we've been able to do this. Even though some of these [guns] may be a collectible or something passed down – this could still save a child, a family member,” said Officer Anthony Sabatino.
Gun owners were offered $250 for assault rifles, $200 for handguns, $100 for shotguns and rifles and $225 for non-working weapons. The gift cards issued totaled $13,750.00.
"It's not just weapons on the streets," said Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah. "We know that suicides by guns are a huge issue, especially among young people, or even accidental gun deaths. So having a gun in the hands of police and in safe storage is really, really important."
Firearms collected during the gun buyback in New Rochelle will be properly destroyed by police.