An Albany pastor is putting a twist on the season of giving with the start of the fifth annual Gift For Guns Program.

Beginning this weekend, and happening every Saturday in December, those with illegal handguns from Albany and Troy can exchange their gun for a gift card.

The exchange takes place at Pastor Charlie Muller’s Victory Christian Church on Quail Street.

Albany and Rensselaer County sheriff's offices are working with Pastor Muller to take illegal handguns off the streets in exchange for $100 gift cards to Colonie Center.

“We do get some handguns coming off the street with bullets in them, which is dangerous, but at least we get the handguns. We always send a message, especially this time of year, to turn over a new leaf on life,” Muller said.

According to Muller, the program collected nearly 150 illegal handguns last year.