'No Questions Asked': Gun Buyback Event Is Coming To Bohemia

BOHEMIA, NY — A "no questions asked" gun buyback event where money will be exchanged for surrendered firearms is coming to Bohemia in December.

The buyback is slated for Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the True North Community Church and is hosted by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the New York State Police, and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.

In a statement, James said the event is part of an "ongoing effort to help protect New York communities from gun violence and to keep families safe," as firearms have been the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 17 continuously since 2020, according to Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

Working and non-working unloaded firearms will be accepted on a "no questions asked" basis in exchange for money in the form of prepaid gift cards when a gun is received and secured by law enforcement officers on site.

Anyone surrendering a firearm will receive $500 per assault rifle, $250 per handgun, $75 per rifle or shotgun, and $25 per non-working, replica, antique, homemade, or 3D printed gun. Anyone bringing homemade or 3D printed guns will be paid a total of $25, regardless of how many are turned in.

The guns must be transported to the event unloaded in the trunk of a vehicle and in a plastic or paper bag or box. Because it's an amnesty program, no questions will be asked about the person dropping off the gun. If the weapons being surrendered must be removed from a permit, a photo ID and corresponding permit must be presented to obtain proof of surrender.

"The upcoming gun buyback event that my office is coordinating with the New York State Police and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department will empower New Yorkers to remove unwanted firearms off our streets and out of our communities," James said. "Every gun turned in is a step in the right direction to help safeguard our communities from gun violence. My office will continue to work with our partners to be part of the solution against gun violence."

Anyone needing an accommodation to participate in the program may contact the ADA Administrator at ADA.administrator@ag.ny.gov, preferably 48 hours before the event.

True North Community Church is located at 1101 Lakeland Ave. in Bohemia.