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Pastor behind Albany gun buyback looks to give program fresh start

By Brandon Adamczyk

ALBANY -- Recent gun violence in Albany has a local pastor, once again, asking for help in his crusade against illegal guns. Victory Christian Church Pastor Charlie Muller is looking for support in giving the Albany gun buyback program a fresh start. Under the program, when a person turns in a gun, they receive a $150 gift card to Crossgates Mall.

Muller says since June of last year, 300 guns were turned in.  However, without more funding, the program will suffer, and Muller says in turn, violence could increase.  Pastor Muller says, "When we were taking the guns off the streets at the rate of a gun a day the shootings went way down.  But it's been over a year. But the thing is, we can't let a program like this fall to the wayside."  Funding would also go toward setting up gun-free zones throughout the city of Albany.

Troy police will hold their own gun buyback program this weekend.  It will take place this Saturday from noon to 6pm, at the Bethel Baptist Church on 5th ave.  And it's the same deal as the Albany program.  When a person turns in a gun, they receive a $150 gift card to the Crossgates Mall.