NEW YORK — In a highly publicized event aimed at curbing gun violence, New York City officials on Thursday destroyed 3,600 illegal firearms using a powerful wood chipper — just 24 hours after an 84-year-old grandmother was tragically killed in a crossfire in Queens.
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Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban presided over the gun destruction ceremony in Westbury, NY, calling it a “clear message” to traffickers and illegal gun owners. “These weapons will never again harm a single New Yorker,” Adams declared. “We’re turning instruments of death into metal scrap.”
The firearms, collected over the past year through arrests, seizures, and buyback programs, included handguns, assault-style rifles, and so-called “ghost guns” — untraceable weapons built from kits or 3D printers.
Have you ever heard of a gun chipper?
Join us now as we use one to destroy over 3,500 illegal guns seized from our streets: https://t.co/WSD5bcvWwd
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) April 24, 2025
The event, timed just one day after the fatal shooting of an innocent bystander in her home, drew sharp reactions from the public. The grandmother, who had lived in the neighborhood for over five decades, was struck by a stray bullet while reading in her living room.
City officials did not shy away from the juxtaposition. “This is not just about symbolism,” Commissioner Caban said. “This is about real action and accountability. That woman should be alive today.”
Critics argue that public gun destruction ceremonies, while visually impactful, do little to address the deeper systemic issues behind rising gun crime. But supporters say they reinforce a commitment to removing illegal weapons from city streets.
According to NYPD data, shootings are down year-over-year, but ghost guns continue to present a growing threat. Over 1,400 ghost guns were recovered in 2024 alone — a 22% increase from the previous year.
As the wood chipper roared and metal clanged, Mayor Adams vowed more aggressive crackdowns on gun trafficking and expanded youth intervention programs.
“We mourn yesterday’s loss,” Adams said. “But today we act. We will not stop until every neighborhood — from the Bronx to Staten Island — is free from the scourge of illegal guns.”
Forget the guns, putting the SHOOTERS in the woodchipper would send a far stronger and effective message.
Caban is back?
somehow, the crooks always can find guns illegally.
i don’t understand the logic here – if the woman hadn’t been killed, would the guns not have to be destroyed? if there’s any connection between the two events, shouldn’t they destroy the guns first, to have an effect on crime? if anything, this just highlights the fact that not enough is being done to take illegal guns off the street.
Am I the only person thats happy about (illegal) guns getting destroyed or do I have to also crack my head to find a reason to criticize this?
Edic Adam’s is a bad mayor
He is wasteful and unimpactful these arms would be better served fighting the Myanmar regime or the Venezuelan or the Iranian or the other copious enemies of America