District Attorney Hoovler Announces Results of Gun Buy-Back Program Sponsored by Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Newburgh Police Department 

and the New York State Police 

Gun Buy Back Program allowed people to safely turn in any gun to receive a Walmart gift card valued up to $150

28 Handguns and 10 long-guns (3 of which were modified into sawed off shotguns)

were turned in during the Gun Buy-Back Program.

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month

Goshen, NY – Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler, City of Newburgh Police Chief Doug Solomon, and Major Pierce Gallagher of the New York State Police announced a Gun Buy Back Program which was held on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at the City of Newburgh Community Center, resulted in twenty-eight handguns and ten long-guns, including three illegally modified sawed-off shotguns, being turned into the police . 

The program was designed to allow people to safely surrender guns and receive a Walmart gift card valued at up to $150.00, depending on the type of gun surrendered. Those surrendering operable assault weapons were to receive a gift card in the amount of $150.00.  Those surrendering operable handguns, or modified rifles or shotguns, received gift cards in the amount of $100.00. Those surrendering rifles, shotguns, antique, or non-working firearms were to receive gift cards in the amount of $25.00.

There was no limit on the number of weapons that could be surrendered. Active or retired law enforcement officers or licensed gun dealers were not eligible to participate in the program.

No identification was required to surrender any weapon, and no questions were asked of the people dropping off the firearms. 

Under the New York State Penal Law, a person who voluntarily surrenders a weapon to the police, in accordance with the terms and conditions proscribed by the police for such a surrender, receives immunity for the unlawful possession of the weapon, although not for other crimes which they may have committed using the weapon.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Newburgh Police Department and the New York State Police thanked Walmart for supporting the Gun Buy Back Program and for offering the gift cards that will be used for the program at a discounted rate.

“We are committed to reducing gun violence in the City of Newburgh and gun buy back programs are one part of the equation in doing so,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler.  “June being Gun Violence Awareness Month made this a perfect time to run this program and I commend the City of Newburgh Police Department and the New York State Police for joining with my Office on this program.  I encourage everyone who is burdened with possessing an illegal gun who did not take advantage of this program to contact the police about surrendering any weapons they possess illegally.  Individuals who carry an illegal gun in Orange County under my Office’s policy faces a minimum of 3 ½ years in state prison. Ultimately, every illegal gun we remove from the streets makes Orange County a little safer.”

“Our gun buyback was a great opportunity to get guns off the street,” said Chief Doug Solomon of the City of Newburgh Police Department. “These types of programs are also helpful in preventing innocent people from being injured by gunfire. We would rather people turn in a gun they no longer have a need for rather than run the risk of having it stolen during a burglary and ending up in the wrong hands.”

Weapons Recovered in Buy-Back Program