Orange County buys back guns

MONROE — In a combined effort to prevent gun violence, Orange County officials said they plan to revive a program to reclaim illegal and unwanted guns, County Executive Ed Diana announced last week.

The “Save a Life” program is a joint effort, led by the District Attorney Francis Philips, Sheriff Carl DuBois,and other local police departments, to extend amnesty to the holders of illegal guns who are willing to exchange their weapons for grocery store credit.

Shop-Rite has agreed to participate as a community sponsor for the program, providing gift cards for police to hand out to those wishing to dispose of a gun.

From Jan. 18 to March 18, any Orange county resident may drop off unwanted or illegally possessed firearms at the Middletown Police Department on James Street, Newburgh Police Department on Broadway, and the Port Jervis Police Department on Hammond Street with amnesty for possession — "no questions asked," Diana said.

Previous programs in 2010 and 2007 reaped 217 guns and 200 guns, respectively.

Diana requested Town Supervisor Sandy Leonard to collaborate in the program in a letter received this week.