
Albany County Debuts Mobile Gun Buyback on Tuesday
Aug 19, 2025 Tue
•
11 AM to 2 PM
The Albany County Sheriff's Office has set Tuesday, August 19 as the debut date for a mobile gun buyback initiative. It's designed to remove unwanted or illegal firearms from communities throughout the county.Event DetailsDate: Tuesday, August 19, 2025Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Location: Albany County Board of Elections parking lot, Albany's South EndTerms of Exchange: $350 pre-paid Mastercard gift cards for operable handgunsEligibility: Open to all community members, no questions askedResults: First event in ongoing series scheduled every 10-14 daysContext and ImpactThe PEACE (Preventing Endangerment & Criminal Exposure) builds upon previous gun buyback efforts in Albany, replacing the deactivated DISCOVER initiative from three years ago. The new approach specifically targets operable firearms to ensure maximum impact.The new program makes use of Sheriff Craig Apple's mobile command center. This allows the program to reach high-violence areas as well as suburban neighborhoods and hill towns that may lack access to traditional buyback events.Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham, who initially expressed skepticism, supports the program's focus on operable weapons.The initiative includes a confidential tip line at (518) 655-7860, offering $750 rewards for information leading to illegal firearm recovery. Callers receive unique codes to maintain anonymity throughout the process.Private sector support comes from James Morrell and the Morrell family businesses, including Destination Kia and Albany Broadcasting radio stations, providing $10,000 in initial funding. This investment supports approximately 28 handgun buybacks or 13 tip line rewards.The program operates in partnership with County Executive Dan McCoy, District Attorney Lee Kindlon, and Legislature Chairwoman Jo Cunningham. Future events will be announced with specific scheduling and location details as the mobile initiative expands.