Suffolk cops play Santa to illegal gun owners with trade-in

The Suffolk County Police Department rolled out its holiday plan Tuesday that offers gift cards in return for illegal firearms. With signs already posted on all Suffolk precincts advertising the program,

News 12 Staff

Dec 20, 2006, 1:21 AM

Updated 6,477 days ago

Share:

The Suffolk County Police Department rolled out its holiday plan Tuesday that offers gift cards in return for illegal firearms.
With signs already posted on all Suffolk precincts advertising the program, individuals with illegal guns can trade in their weapons for a gift card to local stores. Police say full amnesty will be given to any who partake. They add no identification is required and participants will not be hassled. According to the program, rifles and shotguns will be good for $50; revolvers, $100; semi-automatics, $200; and assault rifles $300.
A similar program was organized in 1994, when 700 guns were traded in. However, the grant supporting the current incarnation is $25,000 short of the earlier version's $60,000 budget.