More Than 300 Guns Now Off The Streets Through Essex Buyback Program

A total of 332 guns, including assault weapons, were purchased over the weekend through a buyback program sponsored by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the nonprofit Essex County Bar Foundation, which largely funded the effort.

Officials are seen here with some of the weapons purchased through a gun buyback held in Newark Saturday.
Photo Credit: *Essex County Prosecutor's Office*

Paul Milo

04/03/2019 4:13 p.m.

“For us to get 332 guns off the street means we just avoided 332 tragedies,” said Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose. “Every gun taken off the street is potentially one life saved.”

The Newark Police Department and the Essex County Sheriff's Office assisted in the buyback Saturday at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark. Members of the public were able to turn in weapons and receive up to $250 each, no questions asked.

“While a single gun buyback is not going to end violent crime, we believe this one-day effort was a tremendous success,’’ said Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens. “Guns that could have gotten into the wrong hands, potentially causing a tragedy, were brought in and will eventually be destroyed.’’

Buyback programs have been held for several years in New Jersey communities plagued by gun violence, including Newark, Trenton and Camden

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