West Babylon gun buyback called a success

The cash for guns program last weekend at the Suffolk County Police Department's First Precinct in West Babylon was a success, officers said, taking 21 handguns off the street.

Police paid $100 for each of the first 20 handguns; the 21st was turned in after the program ended on Sunday night.

"We're definitely going to do more of these," Capt. Kevin Degnan said. "Almost all of these were in pretty good condition. One of them was almost brand new, in a box."

Anyone who wants to turn in a weapon can do so at any time at the precinct house with no questions asked, he said. The precinct is at 555 Route 109.

"People bring the weapon into the precinct in a bag or a box and we don't ask for any information, we don't get any ID," Degnan said.

During last weekend's buyback, police took the additional step of asking the news media to stay away.