Weeks After Local Athlete's Fatal Shooting, Hoboken Announces Gun Buyback Day For June

HOBOKEN, NJ — Weeks after a young Hoboken athlete and teacher's aide was shot to death, the city has announced a gun buyback program to try to eliminate some weapons from the streets.

“I would like to thank the residents who I spoke with following Damon Murray’s tragic passing, for supporting this decision," said Mayor Ravi Bhalla in announcing the program on Thursday, a week after mentioning in a debate that he was considering the program in response to Murray's shooting on April 28.

On Thursday, the city and police department said the program will take place June 22, pending final approval from New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General.

Residents can voluntarily surrender up to three firearms, with no questions asked, for up to $350 per weapon.

The city of Hoboken will fund the program, which "seeks to remove firearms from Hoboken and reduce the potential for gun violence in and around Hoboken," the city said.

The buyback event will be held at Hoboken Police Headquarters, 106 Hudson St., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants will receive cash immediately following the surrender of the firearm. The amount is dependent on the type of firearm being surrendered.

Gun Buyback Reimbursements

• Inoperable: $40 each
• Rifle/Shotgun: $200 each
• Handgun (semi-automatic/revolver): $250 each
• Assault Weapon/Illegal: $350 each
• BB guns are excluded from compensation.

Participants are asked to register in advance by either signing up online here: https://hoboken.seamlessdocs.com/f/gunbuyback,
picking up a form at HPD headquarters, or printing out a form at www.hobokenpdnj.gov.

All firearms must be listed on the registration form. Registrants do not need to provide identification and can remain anonymous.

“We understand that Hoboken, compared to other cities, is not known for gun violence. But even one shooting death in our city is one too many, and if this buyback can prevent even a single instance of gun violence, it is well worth it,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

He added, “I offer my sincere thanks to all law enforcement officials who took the time to review and consider this program."

A First Step

“The rise in gun violence is a national epidemic but having recently lost one of our own, makes this personal for me and our Public Safety Department,” said Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante. “If we take one gun off the streets, perhaps we are protecting one family from the devastation Damon’s family is going through today.”

"On behalf of Moms Demand Action of Hudson County, we want to thank the City of Hoboken for pursuing a gun buyback program as an approach to getting both legal and illegal guns out of our city without risk of prosecution, ” said Amy Faucher and Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, co-leaders of Hudson County Moms Demand Action.

They said even if it only takes one gun off the street, it's worth it.

They added that it's only one way to engage local youths and increase safety in town.

They added, “This short-term action item must be part of a broader vision for the city of Hoboken to invest in programs that meaningfully engage our youth to prevent future tragedies," they noted. "Moms Demand Action looks forward to being part of this ongoing conversation."

Anyone with questions about the gun buyback can call HPD Headquarters at 201-420-2100 x 3155.