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Susan A. Rizzo, Albany County Comptroller Harold L. Joyce Albany County Office Building 112 State Street Room 1100 Albany, NY 12207 Phone (518) 447-7130Email Susan.Rizzo@AlbanyCountyNY.gov
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Susan A. Rizzo, Albany County Comptroller Harold L. Joyce Albany County Office Building 112 State Street Room 1100 Albany, NY 12207 Phone (518) 447-7130Email Susan.Rizzo@AlbanyCountyNY.gov
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Albany County Gun Buyback Program is resounding success
More than 100 firearms surrendered; more events expected throughout County
Post Date:01/28/2023 5:27 pm
A total of 117 firearms are safely off the street after they were turned over to Sheriff’s deputies on Saturday during Albany County’s first Gun Buyback Program, sponsored by the Albany County Legislature and the Sheriff’s Office.
The event, which was scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. at the Westmere Fire Department in Guilderland, was ended early due to high volume. The Sheriff’s Office handed out more than $10,000 in monetary rewards to individuals who turned in various firearms, some which were deemed illegal.
“I’m proud of the first DISCOVER program gun buyback event which was an enormous success,” said Legislator Dustin Reidy. “Thanks to Sheriff Craig Apple and the department’s team and a fully bipartisan effort by the county legislature, we helped make Albany County a safer place today by bringing in over 100 firearms, including illegal guns and dozens of handguns. I look forward to continuing these buyback events across Albany County.”
“The Albany County Sheriff’s office was happy to partner with the County Legislature for today’s gun buyback event as part of their DISCOVER gun violence reduction program. A total of 117 guns were secured, including 63 handguns and 54 long guns. Amongst them were several with defaced serial numbers and markings,” stated Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple.
The Detailed Instruction Supporting Community Violence Education and Reduction (DISCOVER) program was unanimously adopted by the Albany County Legislature in November 2022 and focuses on firearm education and training for gun owners with the hope of reducing the number of illegal guns in local communities.
The gun buyback events are fully anonymous, and no questions are asked of individuals relinquishing a firearm. In exchange, individuals received $50 for an inoperable firearm, $100 for a rifle or long gun and $200 for a pistol or handgun.
In addition to gun buyback events, the DISCOVER program is expected to offer pistol training courses for County residents run by the Sheriff’s Office; an anonymous illegal firearm tip line for individuals to report information about illegally possessed guns and a potential $500 reward if the tip results in seizure of a firearm; and free gun locking mechanisms and instructions regarding best practices in keeping and storing guns at various events throughout the county.
“We applaud today’s successful public safety efforts of Albany County Legislator Dustin Reidy, Sheriff Craig Apple, the Legislature and the Sheriff’s Office amidst a real gun violence epidemic in our country,” said Chairman Andrew Joyce. “We firmly believe in making Albany County a safer place for all.”
“I was happy to support the kickoff of my Democratic colleague, Dustin Reidy’s DISCOVER gun safety program for its first gun buyback event today. The event was wildly successful and Albany County is safer for having these 100+ guns, including a number of illegal guns off the streets,” said Majority Leader Dennis Feeney.
Return to full list >>The event, which was scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. at the Westmere Fire Department in Guilderland, was ended early due to high volume. The Sheriff’s Office handed out more than $10,000 in monetary rewards to individuals who turned in various firearms, some which were deemed illegal.
“I’m proud of the first DISCOVER program gun buyback event which was an enormous success,” said Legislator Dustin Reidy. “Thanks to Sheriff Craig Apple and the department’s team and a fully bipartisan effort by the county legislature, we helped make Albany County a safer place today by bringing in over 100 firearms, including illegal guns and dozens of handguns. I look forward to continuing these buyback events across Albany County.”
“The Albany County Sheriff’s office was happy to partner with the County Legislature for today’s gun buyback event as part of their DISCOVER gun violence reduction program. A total of 117 guns were secured, including 63 handguns and 54 long guns. Amongst them were several with defaced serial numbers and markings,” stated Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple.
The Detailed Instruction Supporting Community Violence Education and Reduction (DISCOVER) program was unanimously adopted by the Albany County Legislature in November 2022 and focuses on firearm education and training for gun owners with the hope of reducing the number of illegal guns in local communities.
The gun buyback events are fully anonymous, and no questions are asked of individuals relinquishing a firearm. In exchange, individuals received $50 for an inoperable firearm, $100 for a rifle or long gun and $200 for a pistol or handgun.
In addition to gun buyback events, the DISCOVER program is expected to offer pistol training courses for County residents run by the Sheriff’s Office; an anonymous illegal firearm tip line for individuals to report information about illegally possessed guns and a potential $500 reward if the tip results in seizure of a firearm; and free gun locking mechanisms and instructions regarding best practices in keeping and storing guns at various events throughout the county.
“We applaud today’s successful public safety efforts of Albany County Legislator Dustin Reidy, Sheriff Craig Apple, the Legislature and the Sheriff’s Office amidst a real gun violence epidemic in our country,” said Chairman Andrew Joyce. “We firmly believe in making Albany County a safer place for all.”
“I was happy to support the kickoff of my Democratic colleague, Dustin Reidy’s DISCOVER gun safety program for its first gun buyback event today. The event was wildly successful and Albany County is safer for having these 100+ guns, including a number of illegal guns off the streets,” said Majority Leader Dennis Feeney.