Police Collect 509 Weapons at Gun Buyback in Queens

By Paul Bisceglio Weapons tend to be frowned upon in church, but last Saturday New Yorkers brought 509 of them into New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Queens. The cops were there waiting for them -- with cash. The church hosted one of N.Y.P.D.'s Gun Buyback events. People show up with a firearm (illegal or legal), hand it in to the cops, and receive a $200 gift card. Last weekend's stash included 245 revolvers, 168 semi-automatic pistols, 35 rifles, 26 shotguns, 5 sawed-off shotguns and 2 assault weapons, according to a police press release. "Notable weapons" included an AK 47, a tec-9 and a Calico 9mm with a 50 round magazine. N.Y.P.D. says that the buyback program has collected over 8,200 weapons since it began, and mentions that guns can be turned in 24/7 to any Police Precinct, Transit District or Housing P.S.A. for a reward.