Rockland County Sheriff's Office holds community gun buyback event

Multiple law enforcement agencies gathered in Rockland County Thursday afternoon for a gun buyback.

It's a partnership between the Rockland County Sheriff's Office, Spring Valley police, Ramapo police and New York State Police.

"It's a good idea to turn those guns in rather than have a kid find those guns and do something terrible," said Lt. Chignard Noelizaire with the Spring Valley Police Department.

It comes at a crucial time for officers. They tell News 12 that the summer months are when they typically see a rise in gun violence and other crimes.

According to the Rockland County Sheriff's Office, they have responded to 11 shooting-related calls so far this year. In all of 2023, that number was at 32.

"We have a fair amount of shootings that take place in the county at different times, we are also concerned about weapons that are available to people who have mental health issues who might use them to harm themselves," said Undersheriff Robert VanCura with the Rockland County Sheriff's Office.

Guns of all kinds were exchanged for money. That includes assault rifles, handguns, rifles, shotguns and antique guns. Non-working guns were also accepted.

Police say the goal of these events is to make the community safer as a whole.