City officials announced that the City of Newark’s gun buyback held on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at the Fourth Precinct, located at 247 16th Avenue, in Newark’s West Ward, resulted in 168 weapons received and $22,100 paid out to residents.
“This gun buyback program that we are hosting, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners and other organizations, is a major part of our efforts to remove potentially dangerous weapons from the homes and streets of the City of Newark. I thank all the residents who took advantage of this program, turned in unwanted weapons from their homes, and helped transform Newark into a safer City we can all believe in,” said Mayor Baraka.
“This Gun Buyback program provided City residents with an avenue to anonymously turn in legal or illegal weapons that potentially could be used in a violent crime. We are relying heavily on our community to participate in this program in assisting us in saving lives and preventing tragedies,” said Police Director Venable.
Residents could turn in firearms at the buyback, and receive cash cards for the weapon, as follows:
- Inoperable weapons: $50
- Revolvers: $150
- Shotguns $150
- Rifles: $150
- Semi-automatic weapons: $150
- Assault weapons: $250
Persons surrendering weapons were granted immunity from prosecution for possessing these firearms. The person surrendering the weapon could not already be charged with, or under investigation for, the unlawful possession of the firearm to be surrendered. No more than three firearms could be surrendered by any one person at any one time. If an individual arrived with more than three weapons, all were processed, but the person surrendering the weapon was given compensation for only three of the weapons.
Firearms being surrendered were to be wrapped in paper and either tied or taped while being transported to the designated drop-off location, and be cleared of any bullets. No compensation was given for BB guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, or ammunition.
The Department is planning future buybacks. Funding for the payments came from the Essex County Prosector’s Office.
Feature image photo credit: NJ Advance Media for nj.com
