Suffern to Hold Community Gun Buyback on Nov 1

Suffern Village will hold a gun buyback event on November 1 for residents. The initiative will be held at the Leo Lydon Community Center.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, November 1
• Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Place: Leo Lydon Community Center, Suffern
• Terms of Exchange: Prepaid gift cards ($500 per assault rifle, $250 per handgun, $75 per rifle or shotgun, $25 total for non-functioning/replica/antique/homemade/3D printed guns)
• Eligibility: Open to residents

Partnerships and Participation

The event was organized through a collaboration between the Rockland County District Attorney's Office and the Suffern Police Department. Village of Suffern Deputy Mayor Jo Meegan-Corrigan will also participate in the initiative.

Chief Deirdre Smith, Chief of Detectives for the Rockland County District Attorney's Investigative Unit, emphasized that such events form part of a broader violence prevention strategy. District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II highlighted the proactive approach to community safety, stating that every gun turned in is one less that can fall into the wrong hands.

Process and Privacy

Participants will follow a standardized procedure to ensure safety and anonymity. Residents need to bring unloaded firearms sealed in bags and placed in their vehicle trunks.

Law enforcement personnel safely will collect weapons with no questions asked, allowing participants to remain anonymous throughout the process. The no-questions-asked approach aimed to encourage maximum participation while prioritizing safety.

Context and Impact

Gun buyback programs provide communities with a safe disposal option for unwanted firearms through voluntary turn-ins.

The Rockland County District Attorney's Office and Suffern Police Department continue to implement these programs as part of ongoing community engagement and public safety efforts.