A Rochester event collected 606 firearms, pushing the Attorney General’s statewide total above 10,500 since 2019.

By Michelle LaGuerre

New York gun buybacks organized by the Attorney General’s Office have collected 10,534 firearms since 2019, according to a statewide milestone announced Tuesday.

The total passed 10,000 after 606 firearms were surrendered at an Oct. 20 event in Rochester hosted with the Rochester Police Department. The Attorney General’s Office said it has held more than 50 buyback events across New York during that period.

The announcement is relevant beyond Rochester because similar events have been held in Utica and other Upstate communities. It also raises a practical question for Mohawk Valley residents who have an unwanted firearm: how can it be stored and surrendered safely without creating a new risk?

New York gun buybacks pass 10,500 firearms

The Rochester collection included 44 assault weapons, 177 handguns and 247 long guns, according to the Attorney General’s official release. Those listed categories total 468 firearms. The state announcement did not provide a category for the remaining 138.

Attorney General Letitia James described buybacks as a safe way for residents to dispose of unwanted firearms and keep them from being misused.

“Taking dangerous weapons off the streets helps keep our communities safe,” James said.

The release included supportive statements from Rochester-area officials and community groups. They framed the event as one part of a broader strategy that also involves violence-prevention programs, neighborhood investment, youth services and enforcement.

What the number does and does not show

The 10,534 figure counts firearms collected at Attorney General-sponsored events since 2019. It does not represent every gun surrendered to local police, transferred through licensed dealers or collected through programs run by other agencies.

It also does not by itself show how many crimes, suicides or accidental shootings were prevented. The Attorney General’s statement describes the firearms as removed from New York communities, but it does not provide a study linking this collection total to a specific change in crime.

That distinction matters. Buybacks can remove unwanted or unsecured firearms from homes and give owners a disposal option. At the same time, public safety trends are shaped by many factors, including policing, community programs, economic conditions, access to mental-health care, illegal gun trafficking and secure storage.

A responsible reading of the announcement recognizes the concrete result, 10,534 collected firearms, without claiming the number proves more than the state documented.

What this means for Utica and the Mohawk Valley

The Attorney General’s Office has previously partnered with Utica police on local buybacks. Utica Phoenix reported on a 2022 Utica event that accepted working and nonworking firearms.

No new Utica-area buyback was announced with the Oct. 20 milestone. Residents should not bring a firearm to a police station, government building or community site based only on the Rochester announcement.

Anyone seeking to surrender an unwanted firearm should first call the appropriate local law-enforcement agency using its published nonemergency number. Ask for instructions about unloading, securing and transporting it. Do not arrive unannounced with a firearm.

If there is an immediate danger, call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s directions. Do not handle a firearm more than necessary, especially if its condition or loaded status is unknown.

Safe storage remains important

An unwanted firearm can remain dangerous while a household waits for a surrender or transfer option. New York’s Department of Health gun-safety guidance recommends securing firearms with a trigger lock, cable lock, lock box or gun safe.

Ammunition should be stored separately, and keys or combinations should be kept away from children and people who should not have access. The safest setup depends on the firearm, household and legal requirements.

When children or vulnerable adults are present

Adults should not rely on hiding a firearm or telling a child not to touch it. Secure storage adds a physical barrier. Families should also discuss what children should do if they see a gun: do not touch it, leave the area and tell a trusted adult.

If someone in the home is experiencing a mental-health crisis, suicidal thoughts or violent behavior, create distance from firearms and contact emergency or crisis professionals. In the United States, people can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call 911 when there is immediate danger.

Questions to ask about a future buyback

Rules can change from one event to another. Before traveling, residents should confirm:

• Which agency is operating the event and whether the announcement appears on an official website.
• The exact date, hours and entrance to use.
• Whether an appointment or residency requirement applies.
• Which firearm types are accepted, including nonworking or privately made firearms.
• How ammunition should be handled.
• How the firearm must be secured during transportation.
• Whether compensation is offered and what identification, if any, is required.

People should follow the event’s instructions exactly. Social-media reposts and old flyers may contain expired information.

Buybacks are one part of a larger strategy

The state’s announcement arrived as New York continues funding community violence-intervention programs and police partnerships. Utica Phoenix recently reported that Utica recorded no gun deaths through August while receiving state prevention support.

Buybacks focus on voluntary surrender. Other strategies address illegal trafficking, repeat violence, domestic violence, youth intervention, safe storage and support for survivors. Community leaders quoted by the Attorney General emphasized that collecting firearms should accompany long-term investment in neighborhoods.

The Rochester result shows strong participation at one event and establishes a statewide program total. The next useful measures would include transparent reporting on how collected firearms are processed, the cost of each event and how buybacks fit with other evidence-based safety programs.

How to get reliable information

Future Attorney General-sponsored buybacks are announced through the office’s official press releases and participating local agencies. Residents should confirm instructions directly before handling or transporting a firearm.

New York’s Gun Safety website provides information for firearm owners, including storage and state requirements. Because firearm laws can be complex, people with legal questions should consult the responsible licensing agency or a qualified attorney.

Community question: What should local officials report after a gun buyback so residents can evaluate its safety and value? Share policy ideas in the comments, but do not disclose where a firearm is stored or identify a person in crisis.