ALBANY, N.Y. -- Organizers of the annual “Gifts for Guns” program call this year’s effort a huge success. Thursday morning, 93 illegal handguns were display inside Victory Christian Church in Albany.

“Some of the guys that are carrying guns on the street, they get desperate this time of year -- maybe they want to go in a direction, hey I need money to get something for -- maybe my girlfriend or whatever. If we can get that gun, maybe we can definitely save a life,” said Charlie Muller, a pastor at Victory Church.

Muller started the gun buyback program, sponsored by the Albany County Distric Attorney’s Office, in 2008. For the first time this year, it expanded into Troy. Law enforcement says it’s all about eliminating access to illegal firearms. Going into their final Saturday, supporters are confident this will be their most successful year to date.

“I think a large part of that is due to Pastor Charlie. People trust him. He is our secret weapon. We always hear of weapons of mass destruction, Charlie is our weapon of mass collection,” said Christian D’Alessandro, of the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday people can bring any illegal firearm to Victory Church in Albany or Victorious Life Church in Troy and receive a gift card to Crossgates Mall, no questions asked.

“Even guys that are doing things wrong have a heart somewhere there and we believe in that. That is what Christmas is all about and if we can get people to turn that gun in, maybe they can turn a corner on their life,” said Muller.