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Diana's buyback nets 342 guns

| 20 Mar 2013 | 03:23
    Handguns and assault-style weapons sit tagged on a table at the conclusion of Orange County's third gun buyback program, "Save a Life" on March 20. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)
    Handguns and assault-style weapons sit tagged on a table at the conclusion of Orange County's third gun buyback program, "Save a Life" on March 20. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)
    Police officers received some 129 long guns over the course of the program. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)
    Police officers received some 129 long guns over the course of the program. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)
    Officers tagged this 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun as evidence. Police determined that at least two of the guns recovered had been stolen. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)
    Officers tagged this 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun as evidence. Police determined that at least two of the guns recovered had been stolen. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)
    County Executive Ed Diana and District Attorney Frank Phillips talking before the bevy of firearms on display at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Many of the long guns exchanged were old and well-worn. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)
    County Executive Ed Diana and District Attorney Frank Phillips talking before the bevy of firearms on display at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Many of the long guns exchanged were old and well-worn. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)
    Many of the long guns exchanged were old and well-worn. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)
    Many of the long guns exchanged were old and well-worn. (Photo by Joshua Rosenau)

GOSHEN — Unnamed gun holders traded 342 firearms, including six assault-style guns, 176 handguns, 129 long guns and 31 inoperable weapons for grocery store gift cards over the course of a three-month gun buyback program initiated by County Executive Ed Diana.

"Orange County is committed to reducing gun violence and reducing the injuries and deaths associated with unlawful access to firearms," Diana said.

The program, dubbed "Save a Life" offered anyone the chance to turn in any unwanted or illegal firearms with no questions asked at police drop off points in Newburgh, Middletown, Port Jervis and at the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Goshen.

From Jan. 18 to March 18, gun depositors who qualified could receive for a $150 gift certificate from ShopRite in exchange for their weapons.

At least two guns recovered were flagged as possibly stolen, said Deputy Orange County Division of Police Liaison Services Commissioner Craig W. Cherry. Various leaders from Newburgh, including Police Chief Michael D. Ferrara, Mayor Judy Kennedy and Councilman Curlie Dillard, praised the program as a model of community cooperation that could help prevent violent injury or death.

"What you see here, especially on this table, is a collection of obviously lethal weapons that will not have the opportunity of ending up in the hands of someone intent on doing bad or someone accidentally discharging a firearm in the home," said Francis Phillips, Orange County's District Attorney, The county is set to hire a recycling company to crush the guns, reducing them to scrap metal and wood, Sheriff Carl E DuBois said.

The program marks the third time the county has instituted a gun buyback period. Given the large number of guns collected this latest time, a fourth buyback period is already expected sometime next year, officials said.

In 2007, 198 weapons were turned in; in 2010, 217 were.