Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan has announced that $22,010 was paid to people who participated in a gunsurrender programApril 21 and 22. Among the 311 guns surrendered to police, there were 264 handguns and 11 assault weapons.
The gun-surrender program is part of an ongoing effort by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and municipal police departments to reduce the number of weapons that are no longer wanted by their owners.
“Since these weapons can potentially fall into the wrong hands and be used for illegal purposes, it is imperative that law enforcement offer a means of safely disposing of unwanted weapons,’’ Kaplan said. “The exchange of operable handguns and assault rifles for cash is a fair incentive to help keep our streets safe.”
The weapons were dropped off at Sacred Heart Parish Hall on Commercial Avenue in New Brunswick. The program paid $80 for each operable handgun and $150 for each operable assault weapon that was surrendered.
Kaplan said some people were not seeking cash payments and delivered 36 weapons, such as shotguns and rifles that were not among the weapons that qualified for payment.
Additionally, a few residents declined payment for two operable handguns and four operable assault rifles.
An Uzi submachine gun was among the weapons that were surrendered.
All weapons will be properly destroyed by law-enforcement authorities.
Funding for the program is provided from assets that criminals obtained through illegal activities and forfeited by court order following convictions for drug sales and other crimes.