Nearly 1,000 guns were taken off the streets during state gun buyback programs.
TRENTON – Speaking at a press conference Thursday at the Nation Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced that nearly 1,000 firearms were turned in by residents at gun buyback events held Aug. 7 at five locations, including Atlantic City.
Bruck said the “Guns for Cash” events in Atlantic City, East Orange, Newark, and two locations in Paterson yielded 941firearms. Weapons collected at the five locations included 487 handguns, 281 rifles and shotguns, 27 assault weapons, 146 inoperable firearms and BB/pellet guns.
New Jersey residents were invited to turn in up to three firearms of any type “no questions asked,” and could earn a maximum of $250. Under standardized pricing set for the buybacks, gun owners were paid $25 for inoperable firearms and BB/pellet guns, $125 for rifles and shotguns, $200 for handguns, and $250 for assault weapons.
The buybacks were funded predominantly by forfeiture dollars obtained by the local police departments and County Prosecutors’ Offices, as well as forfeiture funds from the Division of Criminal Justice.
The guns collected at the buybacks were rendered inoperable by local police who staffed each event and will be melted down.
“Simply stated, we are doing everything in our power to reduce gun violence in New Jersey, and this buyback program is a critical part of our comprehensive strategy to make our communities safer,” Bruck said. “Each gun we’ve collected potentially represents a life saved. I’m grateful for the collaboration and commitment of our County Prosecutors, law enforcement partners, elected officials, and community and faith-based leaders, who have joined our efforts to get these dangerous weapons off our streets and prevent unnecessary gun-related deaths.”
“The overwhelming success of this past weekend’s Gun Buyback is a tribute to the initiative of our Acting Attorney General and the strong support he lends to communities throughout the state,” Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill said. “While we must continue to work together toward the communities’ goal of a safer New Jersey, the results gained from this program represent a visceral step in the right direction.”
“I am pleased by the turnout and success of our gun buyback even,” Interim-Officer-in Charge of the Atlantic City Police Department James Sarkos said. “I witnessed numerous individuals responsibly turn in unwanted firearms to ensure they don’t fall into the wrong hands. The Atlantic City Police Department values the partnerships we have with the Attorney General’s Office and the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office. We look forward to our continued collaboration in reducing gun violence through proactive initiatives like this.”
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy and Bruck are leading a comprehensive, statewide effort to reduce gun deaths, which pairs the latest evidence-based policing strategies with innovative, community-based prevention programs. The three-pronged approach to tackling this public health crisis includes addressing the root causes of violence, keeping guns away from those most likely to harm others, and taking swift action against those who break the law.
Residents with questions about the buyback effort can call the Attorney General’s Office of Constituent Services at 609-984-5828 or visit www.njoag.gov/gunbuyback/ .
