Now in its fifth year, the Gifts for Guns program kicked off Saturday at the Victory Christian Church in Albany.
Anyone can turn in a handgun at the event and receive a $100 Colonie Center gift card, no questions asked.
Pastor Charlie Mueller says in light of nearly 50 shootings this year in the city of Albany, a program like this is needed now more than ever.
He adds that this last year is a proving point, saying there was too much gun violence in the city, and that a lot of it came from illegal activity.
Mueller says Albany officials and residents alike need to start to get aggressive to shut it down.
120 guns were collected last year at events in Albany and Troy.
The event runs every Saturday for the month of December.
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