GOSHEN – Anyone with a gun, licensed, unlicensed, legal or illegal, in Orange County, may turn them in from December 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010 with no penalties.

In return for bringing guns to police in the cities of Middletown, Newburgh or Port Jervis, they will receive a Shop Rite gift certificate ranging from $25 to $150, said Orange County Executive Edward Diana.

“One less gun on the street is one less potential for a death of a resident of this county,” said County Executive Edward Diana.

New Windsor Police Chief Michael Biasotti is vice president of the Orange County Police Chiefs Association and those officers are appreciative of the program.

“Not only is it making our streets safer by one gun, but as evidenced by the shooting last Sunday in Seattle where four police officers were executed with an illegally possessed handgun, it’s our officers who must usually run upon these unlawful guns,” he said. “With that in mind, the law enforcement community is very thankful that this program works and hopefully we can remove some guns from our streets and make it safer for our residents and our police officers.”

Guns must be brought in unloaded and persons are to call the police department before they bring it in.

• Middletown: 845-343-3152
• Newburgh: 845-561-3131
• Port Jervis: 845-856-5101.