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Read the press release here.

Officials to Host Gun Buy Back Program in Staten Island

By Nicholas Rizzi | February 4, 2013 5:22pm
 Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan and the NYPD will host a gun buy-back program in West Brighton on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.
Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan and the NYPD will host a gun buy-back program in West Brighton on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.
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AP Photo/Stephen Chernin

WEST BRIGHTON — The NYPD and Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan will host a gun buy-back program Saturday at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in West Brighton.

Any resident who turns in a working handgun or assault rifle will receive a $200 debit card, or a $20 bank card for each rifle or shotgun returned. The guns will be taken with no questions asked.

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Donovan has made assault rifles worth the $200 to help get more of them off the streets, he said in a statement.

"In the wake of the tragedy at Newtown, Connecticut, it is my strong belief that the public good is best served by getting these deadly weapons off our streets," he said. "I hope that the boost in pay serves as extra incentive for those who have assault rifles to surrender them."

The transaction will be completely anonymous and the bank card can be used as a debit card or to withdrawal the money from any ATM, the statement said.

All guns brought to the church must be in a plastic or paper bag, or inside a small box. If brought in by a car, the guns must be in the trunk.

Law enforcement members will be on hand to accept the guns and make sure they are in working order.

Residents are allowed to turn in as many guns as they'd like to the buy-back program, but can only receive money for three, the statement said.

The gun buy-back program will be on Saturday, Feb. 9, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 347 Davis Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.