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New York City Authorities Celebrate Destruction of Illegal Firearms
In a significant demonstration of commitment to public safety, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch marked a pivotal moment on Thursday with the destruction of 3,375 illegal handguns and 200 rifles. This event highlights an ongoing effort to combat gun violence in the city, as the destroyed weapons represent just a fraction of over 21,400 firearms seized since Mayor Adams took office.
The dismantling process involved loading the firearms onto a conveyor belt and feeding them into a specialized gun chipper, where they were ultimately transformed into scrap metal for recycling. “Today, we say goodbye and good riddance to thousands of illegal guns that no longer threaten the safety of our neighborhoods, our families, or our children,” Mayor Adams stated during a press conference, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in reducing the violence that often accompanies illegal weaponry.
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During the destruction, Adams underscored the emotional weight of the event by inviting families impacted by gun violence to remember their lost loved ones by calling out their names. This act served as a solemn tribute to those affected by such tragedies.
Commissioner Tisch echoed the mayor’s sentiments, stating, “These guns have no place in our neighborhoods. They stoked fear, inflicted pain, and destroyed lives.” She reinforced the idea that these weapons belong in an industrial shredder, indicating a strong stance against their future use on the streets.
The metal reclaimed from the destroyed firearms will be donated to the School of Cooperative Technical Education (Coop Tech). Students will repurpose this material to create a memorial, honoring victims of gun violence and their families, which adds a meaningful layer to the event’s impact.
According to the mayor’s office, more than 1,400 of the guns seized during his administration have been identified as ghost guns—firearms that are often made from kits and assembled at home, making them untraceable and increasingly popular among criminals and underage buyers. Since 2018, the NYPD has recovered nearly 2,000 ghost guns, showcasing a troubling trend in the types of firearms circulating in the city.
In a detailed report on ghost guns recovered over the past years, officials noted that the NYPD seized 17 in 2018, with numbers gradually increasing to nearly 438 by 2024. This data reflects a concerning escalation in their prevalence in the community.
In response to rising gun violence, the NYPD launched the Neighborhood Safety Teams in March 2022, targeting areas disproportionately affected by shootings. Mayor Adams has made gun violence a high priority since his first month in office with the introduction of the “Blueprint to End Gun Violence,” a strategic plan to tackle the pervasive issue.
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Adams reiterated his administration’s commitment to reducing gun violence through multiple initiatives, including collaboration with national leaders and legal actions against ghost gun manufacturers. “From day one, this administration has mounted an all-out effort to reduce gun violence,” he affirmed, signaling a continuous battle against the proliferation of illegal firearms in New York City.
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