Morris County Announces Gun Buy Back for May
Published on May 03, 2022
Cash Exchanges, No Questions Asked
Two "Guns for Cash" events are scheduled to be held in Morris County to reduce the number of unwanted and unsecured guns circulating in the community.
The two events, organized by several agencies as the Morris County Gun Buy Back Amnesty Program, will be held over two days, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on:
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Budd Lake Fire Department
378 Route 46
Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Parsippany Police Athletic League (PAL) Building
33 Baldwin Road
Parsippany, NJ 07054
The program was announced in a joint press release by Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Chief of Detectives Christoph K. Kimker of the prosecutor's office, Mount Olive Police Chief Stephen Beecher, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Richard Pantina, the Morris County Board of Commissioners, and Morris County Crimestoppers.
New Jersey residents are invited to turn in firearms with “no questions asked,” and will receive as much as $300 per weapon for up to three guns.
Payouts will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. This program will accept firearms from all persons including juveniles without requiring the disclosure of names or other personal information.
Those looking to surrender firearms are asked to bring them to the above locations wrapped in plastic or contained in a box. Police officers will be stationed at each buyback location to collect and secure the guns.
The Morris County Gun Buy Back Amnesty Program is being funded with a total of $60,000.00.
FUNDING SOURCES & TOTAL CONTRIBUTION BY EACH AGENCY
- Morris County Commissioners (ARPA/American Rescue Plan Act Funds): $20,000.00
- Morris County Crimestoppers Commission: $10,000.00
- Morris County Prosecutor’s Office (CLETA/County Law Enforcement Trust Account): $20,000.00
- New Jersey Office of the Attorney General: $10,000.00
- TOTAL: $60,000.00
“Reducing gun violence in our communities is paramount, and gun buybacks are a vital means for removing firearms from circulation before they can be used to take a life. We proudly support counties and local law enforcement in buyback efforts that advance our shared goal of bringing an end to gun violence and restoring peace to communities across New Jersey," Acting Attorney General Platkin said.
Prosecutor Carroll said, “I would personally like to thank our funding partners – Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, Morris County Crimestoppers, and the Morris County Board of Commissioners - for their leadership and support of the program. The Buy Back program is ‘no questions asked,’ and a great way for law enforcement and New Jersey residents to work together to reduce the number of unsecured guns circulating in the community.”
“Reducing gun violence necessitates a cooperative response. Every gun we will collect represents a gun taken off the streets. This is all about Safety in our communities. Many times, people pass away and the family is left with firearms in the home that can be turned in to us with no questions asked. I applaud our partners at the state, county and local levels for helping ensure a successful Program," said Sheriff Gannon.
“This program is designed to prevent unwanted firearms in Morris County households from landing on the street. The aim is public safety, and it is a suitable use of American Rescue Plan Act funding obtained by the county,” said Morris County Commissioner Douglas Cabana, the board liaison to Law and Public Safety.
Mount Olive Police Chief Beecher said, “The Mount Olive Police Department is pleased to partner with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Morris County Sheriff's Department to offer our community a no-hassle and if wanted, anonymous way to get rid of unwanted guns.”
The last Gun Buy Back program in Morris County, held in March 2013, resulted in the surrender of 600 weapons and paid out a total of $49,550.
Residents and media with questions about the buyback effort can reach out to the Prosecutor's Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at mknab@co.morris.nj.us or by phone at 973-829-8159.