NYPD Gun Buybacks Offer Cash, Mentoring
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The NYPD has launched what commissioner Ray Kelly has called a gun buyback program with a twist.
Over the weekend, a buyback held at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn took in 115 weapons that are no longer on the streets.
Guns ranging from pistols to an assault weapon were turned in, but Kelly said the aim was to reach the weapons owners more deeply.
"In addition to the $200 dollar cash card provided for each handgun surrendered, the person was given contact information to receive mentoring for them or for someone that they know," Kelly told reporters including WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.
NYPD Gun Buybacks Offer Cash, Mentoring
Organizers of this weekend's buyback said one father turned in a gun he found in his son's room.
"These young kids out here need an option, they need something to do besides, here, just do the right thing and turn in the gun. So the idea is to get them to turn in this gun, sign up for mentoring and try to put them on a better path towards a happier life and steer away from crime," said Michael "Blue" Williams, founder of Guns 4 Greatness.
Kelly said the guns will be melted down and turned into coat hangers. If they were swords, he said they would be plowshares.
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