96 guns turned in during buyback program
A detective uses a magnifying glass as he looks for the serial number on a gun turned in at the Gun Buy Back Program held at Grace Cathedral in Uniondale. (Dec. 10, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Karen Wiles Stabile
Nearly 100 guns -- from Saturday night specials to a homemade one crafted from copper pipe -- were turned in Saturday during a gun buyback program hosted by Nassau County law enforcement officials.
Toting cardboard boxes, plastic bags and purses, people came to Grace Cathedral in Uniondale to turn in weapons during the three-hour event, in exchange for $200 in cash for each gun (licensed guns, BB guns, air pistols and long guns were excluded from payment).
"We're trying to get illegal guns off the street," said Charles "Chuck" Ribando, executive chief investigator for the Nassau County district attorney's office. People turned in their weapons anonymously. "$200 cash back. No questions asked," Ribando said.
One man brought in 33 guns, netting $6,600. The officer collecting them -- he inspected the weapons, put plastic ties through the gun barrel, rendering them inoperable, and placed them in evidence bags -- described the handguns as typical Saturday night specials.
Officials said it wasn't uncommon for people to collect guns from family and friends to bring to police.
A woman brought in a .25-caliber handgun that could fit in the palm of a hand. It was loaded. Most of the surrendered guns were not.
"The more guns we remove from the streets, the safer the streets," said Det. Sgt. Patrick Ryder, commanding officer of Nassau County Police Department's asset forfeiture and intelligence unit.
Saturday's gun buyback was the second of the year in Nassau, and occurred on the third anniversary of the program in the county, Ribando said. Suffolk County and New York City also host gun buybacks.
No taxpayer money was used to pay for the illegal guns, Ryder and Ribando said. Money taken from criminals -- forfeiture funds -- by the DA's office and the police department financed the program.
Saturday, the agencies paid $19,200 for 96 guns. Ribando said nearly 1,900 illegal guns have been taken off the streets to date through the program.
Ribando recalled the year the gun buyback was staged in four locations and officials ran out of money. But Saturday, he said they had $80,000 -- half from the DA's office and half from the police department.
