Democracy In Albany

To change that culture, he said, will require more than strong recommendations.

"The key will be whether we can implement this stuff," he said. "I'm not optimistic on the interdiction of the gun traffic. I am optimistic in being to make a difference in the gun culture. It's awfully easy to get a gun. It doesn't matter how old you are. If you've got the bread, you can go around the corner and get one. You can borrow a gun like you can borrow a book from the library."

Campbell said, with the approval of the DA, a person bringing in an illegal gun "will receive amnesty for that time only when the gun is turned in. If the gun is processed and found to have been involved in a crime, that person will be questioned." Campbell conceded these programs rarely pan out. "We're hopeful that the program will be successful in that we will receive handguns from the streets," he said. "However, I would be surprised if that turns out to be the case." A few years ago, Albany police had a gun buy-back program, as have several communities. It was open to all guns, and Albany got numerous rifles and shotguns, and a couple of handguns from people who turned them in after a family member died, Campbell said.

Higgins, the lead sponsor, said last year shootings were up 47 percent in the city of Albany, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. "Even if we get one gun off the street, it would be a step in the right direction."

The legislature approved $10,000 for use in buying $100 gift cards to commercial establishments. No cash will be given out. Legislators felt the gift cards were an incentive.

On a Saturday in the summer -- a date hasn't been set -- the sheriff's RV, used as a mobile command center, will be parked in the lot at the Albany County Courthouse and guns -- only from county residents -- will be received. If it's successful, the RV will move to another part of the county.