Attorney General James announces 191 firearms removed from Brooklyn communities during major gun buyback event aimed at reducing violence

Brooklyn, New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 191 firearms were surrendered during a community gun buyback event held in Brooklyn over the weekend, marking another step in the state’s ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence and improve public safety. The initiative brought together several state and local agencies with a shared goal of removing unwanted firearms from homes and neighborhoods before they could be involved in crimes, accidents, or other tragedies.

The event was organized through a partnership involving the Office of the Attorney General, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, the New York City Police Department, and the Office of the New York State Comptroller. Emmanuel Baptist Church hosted the buyback, providing a community setting where residents could voluntarily turn in firearms. Organizers said the program is designed to encourage people to safely dispose of unwanted guns without risking that they remain accessible in homes or circulate on the streets.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the Brooklyn event resulted in the collection of 191 firearms. The total included nine assault weapons, 162 handguns, and four long guns, reflecting a wide range of firearms that were voluntarily surrendered by members of the public.

The latest event also adds to a broader statewide effort that has been underway since Attorney General James took office in 2019. With the firearms collected in Brooklyn, the Attorney General’s Office said it has now helped remove more than 9,900 guns from communities across New York through similar buyback initiatives.

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“Every gun removed from our communities is a potential life saved and crisis averted,” said Attorney General James. “This weekend’s gun buyback event resulted in the removal of 191 unwanted guns from our streets, marking a critical step in our fight to protect our communities from gun violence. I thank the Emmanuel Baptist Church and my friends, District Attorney Gonzalez, NYPD Commissioner Tisch, and Comptroller DiNapoli for their commitment to protecting New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence.”

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez emphasized that every firearm collected represents one less weapon that could potentially be used in a violent crime, a suicide, or accidentally fall into the hands of a child. He also noted that community participation remained strong despite poor weather conditions during the event.

“I sleep better at night after events like this, knowing that close to 200 weapons are no longer in homes and potentially on our streets,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “Every gun we collected is one fewer weapon that now cannot be used to commit crimes, in suicides, or picked up by a child. I thank Emmanuel Baptist Church, all our partners, and every New Yorker who came out despite torrential rains to make our city safer. As Brooklyn continues to experience a historically safe year and summer in terms of gun violence, we are committed to keep reducing the proliferation of guns, engaging our communities and further improving public safety.”

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch pointed to the department’s broader efforts to reduce violent crime, saying officers have already removed thousands of illegal firearms from city streets this year. She said buyback events complement law enforcement operations by providing another avenue for reducing the number of weapons in circulation.

“Every gun recovered is a potential tragedy avoided and life saved,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Thanks to the NYPD’s precision policing strategy, and the men and women in uniform who do this dangerous work, we have removed over 2,700 guns from our streets so far this year and driven down gun violence and murders to record lows. We will continue to invest in these important programs with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli also highlighted the broader impact of gun violence on communities throughout the state. He said reducing the number of firearms in homes and neighborhoods remains an important part of preventing future violence and protecting residents.

“Gun violence costs our communities and New Yorkers,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “Getting guns out of homes and off our streets is a critical part of prevention and saving lives. Thanks to District Attorney Gonzalez, Attorney General James, and the NYPD, we bought back and destroyed 191 guns. A win for Brooklyn and New York.”

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Gun buyback programs have become one of several strategies used by state and local officials to reduce firearm-related injuries and deaths. By offering residents an opportunity to voluntarily surrender unwanted guns, organizers hope to decrease the likelihood that those weapons will be stolen, mishandled, or used in acts of violence.

Officials said the Brooklyn event demonstrates the continued value of cooperation between law enforcement agencies, elected officials, and community organizations. With nearly 200 additional firearms now removed from circulation, supporters of the program believe the effort contributes to safer neighborhoods while reinforcing ongoing work to reduce gun violence across New York State.

As the statewide initiative continues, Attorney General James and her partners say they remain committed to expanding efforts that encourage voluntary firearm surrender while strengthening public safety through collaboration, prevention, and community engagement.