New York City Destroys Over 3,500 Illegal Firearms in Major Public Safety Initiative

New York City Mayor ERIC ADAMS and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner JESSICA S. TISCH announced the destruction of 3,375 illegal handguns and 200 rifles on Thursday, marking a significant step in the city’s ongoing efforts to combat gun violence. The firearms, which were seized by law enforcement, were fed into an industrial shredder to be recycled into scrap metal, ensuring they can never be used to harm New Yorkers again.

The destroyed weapons represent only a fraction of the more than 21,400 firearms confiscated since Mayor Adams took office. “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 declared during a press conference. “These guns will never be used again to endanger another child, terrify another New Yorker, or destroy another life.”

The event also served as a poignant moment for families affected by gun violence, as Mayor Adams invited them to call out the names of their lost loved ones. “Although today’s destruction has dammed up one more river that leads to the sea of violence, we know that there is always more work to be done,” he added. “We will keep pressing for more — more officers, more safety, more results.”

NYPD Commissioner JESSICA TISCH emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “These guns have no place in our neighborhoods. They stoked fear, inflicted pain, and destroyed lives. And they belong right here, in the tear box of an industrial metal shredder.”

The recycled metal from the firearms will be donated to the School of Cooperative Technical Education (Coop Tech), where students will weld it into a memorial honoring victims of gun violence and their families. This initiative underscores the city’s commitment to turning tragedy into hope and resilience.

Mayor Adams also highlighted the growing threat of ghost guns, which are unserialized, untraceable firearms often made using 3D printers. Since the beginning of his administration, over 1,400 ghost guns have been seized, part of the more than 2,000 recovered by the NYPD since 2018. “These types of firearms often end up in the hands of criminals, as well as underage purchasers,” an official statement noted.

The destruction of these firearms is part of Mayor Adams’ broader Blueprint to End Gun Violence, a comprehensive plan launched in his first month in office to address the crisis of illegal guns on New York City streets. In March 2022, the NYPD introduced its Neighborhood Safety Teams, which focus on preventing gun violence in areas disproportionately affected by shootings.

“From day one, this administration has mounted an all-out effort to reduce gun violence,” Mayor Adams said. “From our gun violence prevention task force to our neighborhood safety teams, I’ve testified before Congress about gun violence, urged the Supreme Court to uphold gun safety laws, worked with leaders and mayors across the nation, and sued the makers and marketers of ghost guns.”

New York City remains the safest big city in America, a testament to the relentless efforts of its leaders and law enforcement to protect its residents.

**Sources:**
[NYC Mayor’s Office](https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/)
[NYPD Official Website](https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/index.page)