ROME — A total of 64 firearms were turned in at the New York State Attorney General’s Office’s gun buyback event in Rome on Saturday.

The AG’s Office holds multiple buyback events throughout the state each year. At Saturday’s event, which was held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Bedford Street, the authorities collected 34 long guns, 17 handguns, 12 non-working guns and an assault weapon, officials said.

Each person who turns in a gun is given a prepaid gift card, ranging from $25 for non-working and antique weapons up to $300 for assault weapons.

“Encouraging New Yorkers to get guns off the streets and out of their communities is one of the ways we are working to combat the scourge of crime and gun
violence throughout our state,” said Attorney General Letitia James in a release.

“Thanks to our partnership with the Rome Police Department, we were able to host this successful gun buyback program and take 64 guns out of the greater Rome area. I will continue my office’s efforts to protect New Yorkers and ensure that our residents feel safe and secure in the communities they call home.”

Since 2013, the AG’s Office has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected nearly 5,700 firearms. To date, Attorney General James has helped remove more than 3,700 guns out of communities since she took office in 2019.

“I would like to thank Attorney General James and her staff for returning to Rome and sponsoring a gun buyback event,” said Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo.

“Last year’s event was a great success and this year showed wonderful results as well. The gun buyback provides a safe, secure environment for citizens to dispose of guns properly, with the goal of aiding RPD’s continuous efforts to keep our city safe.”