To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
TROY, N.Y. -- The first of three gun buy backs this year in Troy takes place Saturday next door to the Bethel Baptist Church at 2169 5th Avenue.
Initiated by the city council and in collaboration with the Troy Police Department and the Rensselaer County DA, organizers said their goal is clear, to remove lethal weapons from the streets.
The last gun buyback was actually back in 2009, that one collected about 150 guns.
City officials said a recent upswing in violent crime has forced them to reincorporate buy backs in an effort to keep guns away from dangerous people. And while the gun buy backs do cost money, police said the price tag is far cheaper than the cost of investigating a violent crime.
John Tedesco, Troy Police Chief said, “Just yesterday, we removed a fully loaded weapon from a 15 year old. So if that weapon can make it here instead of in the hands of a 15-year-old, then we are certainly all for it."
Tedesco said he would like to see Troy do a few gun buy backs each year. The next one is on May 19th at the Troy Area United Ministries on Second Street.
There will also be another gun buy back on June 16th at the Missing Link Street Ministry on 6th Avenue.