Niagara Falls spent big money for your guns

The Niagara Falls Police Department wants to help keep you and your family safe when it comes to gun violence. 

This morning Niagara Falls Police Department and New York State Attorney General’s Office held a gun buy back event in the Cataract City. It took place at the old police station on Hyde Park Boulevard. 

Folks from all across Western New York dropped off their guns in exchange for credit gift cards, ranging from $25 to $100, depending on the type of gun. 

More than 100 people handed over rifles, handguns, pistols, and more to police without any questions asked. Several people were trying to get rid of guns their inherit by loved ones who have died. Officers tossed the 155 guns into large green garbage totes ready to be safely destroyed. 

Chief Bryan Dalporto said the goal is to give you a safe way to get rid of unwanted firearms without prosecution, while also reducing the number of funs on the streets. 

“We’re not under any allusion that gang members are going to come in here and hand in their fire arms,” Dalporto said. 

So far this year, there has only been one homicide in the city. There were four in 2017. Chief Dalporto said the decline in homicides is consistent to the gun buy back program, which started four years ago. 

“Whether they be used in a crime or not, it’s not something we can measure. But, we think it does prevent them from falling into the wrong hands,” the chief said. 

Money that was given away at the gun buy back event comes from forfeiture of property seized in crimes.