Illegal Gun Seizures Up 45% In Newark So Far This Year, Police Say

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police recovered six illegally possessed guns last weekend, adding to a surge of gun seizures in the first quarter of 2022, authorities said Monday.

The weapon possession arrests – four in the South Ward and two in the East Ward – are part of an ongoing Violence Reduction Initiative, which was launched in December 2021, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety. Read More: Anti-Violence Plan In Newark Paying Off With Arrests, Police Say

Seized weapons in the South Ward arrests, which took place Saturday, included four illegal handguns: two loaded .9mm handguns, a .40 Springfield Armory XD handgun reported stolen out of Georgia, and a “ghost gun.”

Seized weapons in the East Ward arrests, which took place Friday and Saturday, included a loaded .9mm Glock 43 handgun, and a loaded .40 caliber handgun that was reported stolen out of Hillsborough County, Florida.

The seizures bring the NPD’s first quarter’s total to 174 illegal guns – an increase of 45 percent from last year, authorities said.

“Every illegal gun taken off the street is a potential life saved,” Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara said.

“As there has been a large increase of guns in circulation, police have appropriately responded by removing increasing numbers of ghost guns, stolen firearms, and other illegal guns from the hands of people who should not have them before tragedy results,” O’Hara added.

• Read More: Violent Crime Up In Newark For 2021, But Down Over 3-Year Period
• Read More: Newark Mayor, Top Cop 'Grateful' To Biden For Gun Violence Plan

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