NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah and New Rochelle Police Department Commissioner Robert Gazzola recently held a community gun buyback event at Shiloh Baptist Church in New Rochelle. The event, marking the commencement of National Gun Violence Awareness Month, successfully collected 75 firearms.
Participants surrendered various firearms, including shotguns, handguns, and rifles, and received a total of $13,750 in gift cards in return. The buyback, which posed no questions to those who turned in weapons, is part of broader efforts to combat gun violence and promote safety within the community.
The event was supported by several local figures and organizations, including Rev. Dr. H. Lee Jordan, Jr. of Shiloh Baptist Church, volunteers from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and other community leaders. These collaborations underscore the community’s commitment to proactive measures against gun violence, including education on safe gun storage and the enforcement of New York’s stringent gun safety laws.
DA Rocah emphasized the importance of such initiatives: “I am proud to kick off National Gun Violence Awareness Month by getting 75 firearms off our streets and out of potentially the wrong hands. I thank the New Rochelle Police Department and Shiloh Baptist Church for being valuable partners in today’s successful buyback event, and to our community advocates who work with us in our efforts year-round to reduce gun-involved incidents, including suicides.”
