The Latest “Cash for Guns” Event is the Largest One-Day Participation Ever Held in New Jersey with Simultaneous Buybacks Held in Conjunction with 9 Counties
October 18, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck today announced further details and locations for gun buyback events that will be held on October 23 with the help of Bergen, Camden, Cumberland, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Salem, Somerset, and Union counties. This is the largest one-day participation gun buyback ever held in New Jersey with 9 counties participating and holding events simultaneously. Middlesex and Somerset counties are hosting an event together and Salem county is participating for the first time.
Acting Attorney General Bruck announced that the state- and locally-sponsored “Guns for Cash” events will be held on Saturday, October 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at:
Bergen County
St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church
55 West Demarest Avenue, Englewood
In partnership with Prosecutor Mark Musella
Camden County
Antioch Baptist Church
690 Ferry Avenue, Camden
In partnership with Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer
Cumberland County
Alms Center
1 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Bridgeton
In partnership with Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae
Mercer County
Friendship Baptist Church
111 Perry Street, Trenton
In partnership with Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri
Middlesex/Somerset Counties
First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens
771 Somerset Street, Somerset
In partnership with Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone
Monmouth County
Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park
124 Atkins Avenue, Asbury Park
In partnership with Prosecutor Lori Linskey
(This location will open at 8:30 a.m.)
Salem County
Carneys Point Fire Department
258 D Street, Carneys Point
In partnership with Prosecutor Kristin J. Telsey
Union County
In Partnership with Prosecutor William Daniel
(The following locations will open at 9:00 a.m.)
Master’s Table Christian Fellowship (Triumphant Life Church)
207-211 Bond Street, Elizabeth
Shiloh Baptist Church Community Center
Corner of W 5th Street and Liberty Street, Plainfield
Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church
506 Westfield Avenue, Westfield
Residents can turn in firearms with “no questions asked,” and will receive as much as $250 per weapon for up to three guns. Police officers will be stationed at each buyback location to collect and secure the guns. The gun buyback initiative is funded with forfeiture dollars obtained by the local police departments and County Prosecutors’ Offices, as well as forfeiture funds from the Division of Criminal Justice.
“The gun buyback events we organized this August proved so popular that we decided to host a second round this fall,” said Acting Attorney General Bruck. “We are committed to using every tool at our disposal to reduce gun violence, and this expanded program will help us achieve that goal. I’m especially grateful to our County Prosecutors and their community partners for taking the lead on this important project.”
“We are committed to reducing gun violence across the state and this initiative is another step toward making our communities safer,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Fewer firearms in the wrong hands will lead to less violence in our neighborhoods and this program will play a huge role in protecting our cities and saving lives.”
“When we reduce the number of firearms in circulation, we reduce the amount of violence in our communities,” said Lyndsay V. Ruotolo, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “The gun buyback program is a collaborative effort across all law enforcement that demonstrates how effective it is when we work together.”
Statements of support from local leaders:
“Thank you to Governor Murphy and Attorney General Bruck for dedicating resources toward this important public safety issue and for partnering with Bergen County law enforcement,” said Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. “This initiative accomplishes the twin goals of raising awareness of the need for gun safety and getting unwanted guns out of households.”
“Initiatives like the gun buyback program are an effective means of combatting senseless acts of gun violence,” said Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer. “Too often, we have seen a gun in a home fall into the wrong hands, only to be used later in a violent crime – or even worse – fall into the hands of a child. The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office is proud to work with the Attorney General and our local law enforcement partners to help make our county and our state a safer place to live.”
“I, in conjunction with the Cumberland County Municipal Chiefs and Sheriff, am excited to host this Gun Buy Back even,” said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. “Giving the public a way to safely dispose of unwanted guns assures that they don’t fall into the wrong hands. We remain committed to promoting strategies that improve public safety for all Cumberland County residents.”
“There are too many guns on our streets. Last year, the city of Trenton and Mercer County experienced a historic number of homicides and almost all involved guns,” said Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri. “We realize that buybacks alone won’t put a stop to gun violence, but they are a valuable opportunity to make our communities safer and I am grateful to Governor Murphy and Acting Attorney General Bruck for their support.”
“The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is honored to partner with Somerset County law enforcement and local community leaders in working towards reduced gun violence and deaths,” said Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone.
“The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with our law enforcement and community partners, believe that removing illegal and unwanted guns from our streets makes our residents safer,” said Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey. “The force-multiplier of having multiple gun buybacks taking place simultaneously across our state demonstrates the commitment that Attorney General Bruck and our County Prosecutors have in making a tangible difference.”
“The Salem County Prosecutor’s Office is excited to participate in this opportunity to partner directly with our citizens to take illegal and unwanted guns off the street immediately,” said Salem County Prosecutor Kristin J. Telsey. “Together with our local municipal police departments and the Salem County Sheriff’s Office, this initiative demonstrates our commitment to preventing gun violence and improving safety.”
“We welcome the opportunity to participate in the gun buyback program with our law enforcement partners throughout the State,” said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson. “Reducing the amount of firearms that could potentially cause violence in our communities is a top priority for all of us and we will continue to participate in initiatives that make our neighborhoods safer.”
“Gun buyback programs are an important opportunity for the community and law enforcement to collaborate on an initiative to reduce violent crime,” said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel. “We encourage Union County residents to participate in the gun amnesty program on October 23rd and decrease the number of unwanted firearms in their communities.”
The October 23 gun buyback initiative is also being promoted through social media, local advertising, and through community and faith-based outreach.
The previous “Guns for Cash” events held in Atlantic City, East Orange, Newark, and two locations in Paterson yielded 941 firearms. Residents turned in 487 handguns, 281 rifles and shotguns, 27 assault weapons and 146 inoperable firearms and BB/pellet guns at state-and locally-sponsored gun buybacks on August 7. Each of the gun buybacks represented a collaboration between law enforcement and community stakeholders, who promoted and assisted with the six-hour events.
In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy and Acting AG 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
AG Bruck at August 2021 Press Conference on Paterson Gun Buy Back. AG Photo