By JACK DELANEY | jdelaney@queensledger.com
Could AirPods help reduce the number of gun deaths in Brooklyn?
The DA’s office thinks so. On Saturday, local District Attorney Eric Gonzalez partnered with St. Paul Community Baptist Church in East New York to host a buyback event where Brooklynites could trade in guns for $500 bank cards — with the first 100 attendees getting AirPods, to boot.
“Brooklyn is about to finish this year with record lows in homicides and shootings — a testament to the comprehensive and holistic approach we have taken to reduce gun violence,” said Gonzalez, adding that gun buybacks are integral to those efforts because “they allow the community to get involved.”
By the time the six-hour event was over, a total of 157 firearms had been collected. Gonzalez’s team offered rewards that differed based on the type of weapon: $500 for operable guns and assault rifles, $200 for 3D-printed or ghost guns, $75 for rifles and shotguns, and $25 for airsoft, imitation, and inoperable guns.
The buyback followed a no-questions-asked policy, preserving the anonymity of participants. However, active or retired law enforcement officers and licensed gun dealers were ineligible.
“As a community-rooted Baptist church serving East New York since 1927, we are committed to promoting safety and wellness for our congregation and our neighbors,” said Rev. Dr. David K. Brawley, the church’s lead pastor. “To that end, we are proud to partner with the Brooklyn DA’s Office on gun safety initiatives that help reduce violence and support a healthier, safer community.”
A spokesperson for the DA’s office emphasized that it holds periodic buybacks throughout Brooklyn, pulling more than 600 guns out of circulation over the past three years.
This weekend’s event comes as the borough experiences a steep drop in gun deaths. Though shootings rose slightly in November, Brooklyn saw 29% fewer homicides in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the city as a whole is on pace to post the lowest yearly tally of shooting incidents and victims in its history.
