Queens District Attorney Collects 176 Guns in Buyback

The record-breaking haul at a Jamaica church included assault weapons, revolvers, and pistols.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Violence

Queens District Attorney Collects 176 Guns in Buyback

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The Queens District Attorney's office collected 176 firearms during a recent gun buyback event held at the Majority Baptist Church in Jamaica. This collection marks the largest gun buyback haul of the current administration.

Why it matters

The ongoing gun buyback program aims to reduce the cycle of gun violence and strengthen public safety throughout New York City. These efforts accompany active investigations into individuals purchasing unserialized components to build ghost guns.

The event resulted in the surrender of 77 revolvers, 55 pistols, 10 assault weapons, 5 shotguns, 2 Derringers, 1 rifle, and 26 non-operable or imitation items. The Queens District Attorney's office has held 14 such events since 2020.

The players

Queens District Attorney's office

This local agency is responsible for prosecuting crimes and managing gun violence reduction programs in Queens.

NYPD

The New York City Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for public safety and investigative support in the city.

The details

Community members surrendered the weapons to the Queens District Attorney's office and the NYPD at the Jamaica site. This initiative also involves the ongoing prosecution of individuals found purchasing unserialized components used to construct ghost guns.

The gun buyback event took place in Jamaica on October 24, 2026.
A press briefing regarding the collection was held at One Police Plaza on October 29, 2026.

Legal Context

The buyback program supports New York City's ghost gun prohibition statutes by focusing on the removal of both traditional and unserialized weapons. This approach mirrors broader regional trends that emphasize proactive interdiction alongside community-based surrender initiatives.

The collection of these firearms is intended to decrease the prevalence of gun violence in local neighborhoods. Residents should note that shootings in Queens have declined by 10% in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

The takeaway

Voluntary gun buybacks represent a community-focused strategy to reduce the number of weapons available for potential misuse. Residents can contribute to public safety by participating in scheduled collection events or reporting illegal firearm activity to local authorities.