The County of Union, in conjunction with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, County Police, Sheriff’s Office, and Plainfield and Linden Police Departments, will conduct a gun buyback/gun amnesty program in those municipalities at two locations on Saturday, October 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak announced.
Residents may anonymously turn in a maximum of three firearms and receive cash payments of up to $250 per weapon.
The buyback is a part of Chairman Hudak’s initiatives for 2014.
“More than 32,000 Americans die each year from gun violence at a staggering rate of nearly 90 a day, and having fewer guns around could mean they won’t end up in the wrong hands, including our children,” Freeholder Chairman Hudak said, noting the state Assembly recently passed legislation to expand gun buyback programs across the state.
In Linden, the buyback will take place at the Morningstar Community Center, 1009 Chandler Avenue.
The Plainfield buyback will take place at Visions of God Family Worship Church, 350 Leland Avenue at the corner of North Avenue.
“Former Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich was a strong advocate for safely removing unwanted and illegal guns from circulation. With his untimely passing last summer, it is an honor to continue our partnership with other public safety agencies for gun buyback initiatives,” said Acting Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan.
Last year, more than 1,000 guns were collected through a gun buyback conducted in Elizabeth, Linden, and Plainfield in July. It was one of the most successful buybacks conducted throughout the state in conjunction with the State Attorney General’s Office.
For more information on the gun buyback visit the Union County website www.ucnj.org.
Photo: Union County Gun Buyback 2013 (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)