SYRACUSE -- Syracuse Police and the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office are launching another gun amnesty program. It's an effort to stem the tide of violence in Syracuse.
Amnesty is granted only for possession of a handgun and only on specified dates. No amnesty is granted for any other prohibited use of the handgun. During the last amnesty in May of 2006, more than 160 handguns, rifles and shotguns were turned in. A big reason for that was money. People in Syracuse who turned in working guns were given $200 per gun.
Common Councilor Bill Ryan says the city is hoping for the same type of return out of this year's amnesty program. "If you have guns that could be involved in a shooting, bring them forward so we can get the guns off the street and hopefully stem the violence in the city of Syracuse," Ryan said.
In order to qualify for the financial compensation of $200, you must be a city resident, have an operable handgun that was illegally possessed, and have proper identification when you surrender the weapon.
You can turn in guns on two dates: February 4 and February 11 from 7:00am until 12midnight. You can turn them in at the Public Safety Building front desk at 511 South State Street in downtown Syracuse. Please contact the Syracuse Police Department front desk before you arrive at (315) 442-5200. Please unload, bag and/or box the weapon before heading to the police department. The Syracuse Police Department will also respond to your home to collect the handgun from you. Please call Syracuse Police to make those arrangements.
