At four Bronx churches on Saturday, NYPD officials handed out $184,000 in exchange for 1,186 guns over the course of six hours. What does the government plan to do with all that firepower? Well, one day you may pick one of them up at the dry cleaner; they're being melted down to make coat hangers. "Much better use of them," remarked NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly. It was a record-setting cash-for-guns haul, besting last April's gun swap meet, when the city paid for 987 guns, turned in with no questions asked. Those who hand over their firearms receive a $200 prepaid bank card. more ›

On Saturday, the NYPD collected illegal, working guns at six Brooklyn churches in hopes of making the streets safer. The Brooklyn DA's office was offering a $200 cash card per weapon (limit of three), and DA Charles Hynes said, "I think we're going to run out of money today, that's my hope. And if we do, then I'm going to ask the police commissioner to do it again." NY1 reported they took in nearly 700 weapons, including 12 assault weapons. Though some people reported complained about how long the exchange took (cops had to check the weapons), the NY Times says "most praised the program." more ›