Orange County News
 For Immediate Release                                Contact: Christopher Borek
 July 7, 2021                                              845.291.3276, 845.238.4245c

District Attorney Hoovler and City of Newburgh Acting Police Chief 

Lahar Announce Gun Buy-Back Program 

to be Held Saturday, July 10, 2021

Program Allows People to Safely Turn in Any Gun, in Exchange For 

Store Gift Cards Valued at Up to $150

Goshen, NY – Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and City of Newburgh Acting Police Chief Kevin Lahar announced a Gun Buy-Back Program to be held Saturday, July 10, 2021, between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., at the City of Newburgh Community Center, 401 Washington Street in the City of Newburgh. The New York State Police will be assisting in the program. The program is designed to allow people to safely surrender guns and, in exchange, to receive store gift cards valued at up to $150.00, depending on the type of gun surrendered. 

Those surrendering operable assault weapons will receive gift cards totaling $150.00. Those surrendering operable handguns, or modified rifles or shotguns, will receive gift cards totaling $100.00. Those surrendering rifles, shotguns, or antique or non-working firearms will receive gift cards in the amount of $25.00. There is no limit on the number of weapons that may be surrendered.

Guns to be surrendered must be unloaded and brought in plastic or paper bags. Guns being transported in a vehicle must be unloaded and transported in the trunk of the vehicle. Active or retired law enforcement officers and licensed gun dealers are not eligible to participate in the program. 

No identification is required to surrender any weapon, and no questions will be asked of the person dropping off the firearm. Under the New York State Penal Law, a person who voluntarily surrenders a weapon to the police at the Gun Buy-Back Program, in accordance with the terms and conditions described above, receives immunity for the unlawful possession of the weapon, although not for other crimes that they may have committed using the weapon. 

“We are committed to reducing gun violence in the City of Newburgh,” said District Attorney Hoovler, “and gun buy-back programs are only one means to that end. Every illegal gun that we remove from the street makes Orange County a little safer, and I encourage those who are in possession of unwanted guns, especially illegal guns, to take advantage of the program. Under my Office’s policy, those who carry illegal guns in Orange County face a minimum of 3½ years in prison. If you’re in possession of an illegal gun, or one that you don’t want, bring it to the Newburgh Community Center on July 10, 2021, and turn it over to law enforcement, before you’re caught in possession of it, and before it falls into the wrong hands.”