Syracuse Gun Buyback Takes in Record Number of Assault Rifles

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A record number of assault-style weapons were turned in over the weekend at a gun buyback event held at St. Lucy’s Church, part of a statewide initiative to reduce gun violence.

In just three hours on Saturday afternoon, officials collected 638 firearms, including 130 assault rifles, 333 handguns, and even an Uzi submachine gun, according to the Syracuse Police Department.

The number of assault rifles alone was more than triple what was collected during a similar event nearly two years ago, when only 36 were turned in.

“They’re doing the right thing,” said Sgt. Thomas Blake, who helped oversee the buyback. “Regardless of how they obtained it. Maybe they had it as a surplus weapon, maybe they located it, maybe it was left to them by a family member, but they’re doing the right thing coming in here today realizing they don't need this gun or want this gun. And they’re turning it in.”

The event was organized in partnership with Syracuse police, New York State troopers, and the state Attorney General’s office. It kicked off a summer-long series of similar gun buybacks across New York.

This year, the AG’s office increased its incentive for assault rifles to $750, up from $500 in 2022. Other payouts included $250 for handguns, $75 for rifles or shotguns, and $25 for replicas, antiques, homemade, 3D-printed, or non-working guns.

Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile said many of the guns collected weren’t tied to crimes, but rather had been sitting idle in homes or vehicles — where they could eventually become dangerous.

“What they are, are guns sitting around peoples homes, and sometimes people's cars,” Cecile said. “If someone breaks into their cars or homes, they can come away with three, four, five guns, and those will be used for violence,” 

Police made it clear: no questions were asked about where the guns came from. The only time names or addresses were requested was if someone wanted to officially remove a gun from their permit.

Officials hope the increased participation shows that community members are willing to do their part to reduce gun violence.

“This isn’t the only answer,” Sgt. Blake said. “This is just one kind of cog in the smoke, so to speak, in order to handle that much larger problem — that being gun violence and misuse of firearms in general.”

The buyback initiative is one of several approaches New York State is using to make communities safer by getting unwanted, and potentially dangerous, weapons off the streets.