NEW YORK - Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. were joined by the pastors of four Bronx churches to announce the borough’s second gun buyback program in an effort to get illegal hand guns and other weapons off the streets and out of circulation.

Participants will receive a $200 pre-paid cash card for each eligible weapon surrendered, no questions asked. The gun buyback / amnesty program will take place on one day only - Saturday, January 23, 2010 - between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at four drop-off locations.

District Attorney Johnson said: “This buyback / amnesty program is a tangible way to help save lives and reduce the number of gun related crippling injuries in our community, by promoting a message of peace and non-violence during the week in which we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.”

“The partnership between clergy, police and prosecutors is truly an inspired way to get guns off the street and make the Bronx even safer”, said Commissioner Kely.

Handguns, rifles and shotguns will be accepted, however guns belonging to either active or retired law enforcement officials are not eligible for the buyback program. Functional BB guns and air pistols may be exchanged for a gift card.

Firearms may be surrendered at the following locations:

St. Luke’s Catholic Church
623 East 138th Street
Bronx, New York 10454
(Between Cypress Avenue & St. Ann’s Street)
Reverend Msgr. Gerald J. Ryan
(718) 665-6677                                                  

St. Augustine’s Catholic
1183 Franklin Avenue
Bronx, New York 10456
(C/O East 167th Street)
Reverend Thomas Fenlon
(718) 893-0072

Transfiguration Lutheran Church
763 Prospect Avenue
Bronx, New York 10455
(C/O 156th Street)
Pastor Paul Block
(718) 378-3588

Our Lady of Grace
3985 Bronxwood Avenue
Bronx, New York 10466
(C/O East 226th Street)
Father Levelt Germain
(718) 652-4817