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Brooklyn DA Hosts Gun Buy-Back, Says No Legislation Could Have Stopped CT Massacre

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said Saturday that no piece of legislation could have prevented the massacre that left 20 children and eight adults dead in Newtown, Conn.

As WCBS 880's Monica Miller reported, Hynes' office was sponsoring a gun buy-back program Saturday afternoon, and one woman said she was inspired to turn in her gun after the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn.

WCBS 880's Monica Miller Reports

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Hynes said getting as many guns off the street as possible will curb violence. But he said no law could have prevented the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

"In terms of banning these specific weapons – the two Glocks and the semi-automatic rifle, I don't think there's any legislation that would be able to circumvent the Second Amendment," he said.

But Hynes was determined to get guns off the streets, and many residents were taking him up on the offer. Some, such as Bill, traded in two handguns for $400 in debit cards at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in the East New York section of Brooklyn.

"It's a great incentive in a capitalist society – money," he said.

Dorothy from Queens said after the elementary school massacre, she had no reason to hold onto her family's .22-caliber handgun.

"I've got a granddaughter here -- she's 7 years old. I have a 2-year-old, and I just grab and hug them," she said.

Saturday's buy-back resulted in 134 guns being taken off of them streets. The final count included 31 semi-automatic pistols, 4 rifle, 3 shotguns, 1 sawed-0ff shotgun, and 15 other assorted firearms.

District Attorney Hynes called the buy-back a success.

"Once again, we have shown the effectiveness of innovation and creativity in law enforcement, in taking guns off the streets and making Brooklyn an even safer place to live," he said.

Vance said getting as many guns off the street as possible will curb violence.

Do you agree that no law could prevent the Newtown tragedy? Leave your comments below...

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