NY State has established a toll-free tip line – 1-855-GUNSNYS (1-855- 486-7697) to encourage residents to report illegal firearm possession. The tip line also allows for information to be submitted via text – individuals can text GUNTIP and their message to CRIMES (274637). The New York State Police staff the tip line 24 hours a day. Upon receiving a call, troopers will solicit as much information as possible regarding a firearm tip then contact the appropriate police agency with the lead to initiate an investigation. If the information leads to an arrest for the illegal possession of a firearm, the “tipster” will be awarded $500.

Amongst a slew of new strict gun control laws recently enacted by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a new program has launched that rewards New York citizens $500 if they provide details on someone they may know that is in possession of an illegal gun. A “tip line” has been set up to field phone calls 24 hours a day.

Republican Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin said, “This initiative seeks to turn neighbor against neighbor and use their own tax dollars to pay for the $500 reward.”

The program has actually been in place for more than six months, but it has just recently just come to light. CBS News in Albany who broke the story contacted a number of state agencies and law enforcement officials, all whom were unaware of the existence of the program.