Mercer, Burlington Counties Host Gun Buyback Sept. 22

The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office are coming together to host a regional gun buyback event later this month.

The event is set for Saturday, Sept. 22, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alpha Baptist Church, located at 15 Rose Street in Willingboro. It gives residents in both counties the chance to voluntarily and anonymously surrender their firearms for cash.

The county agencies are offering $250 for assault rifles, $150 for handguns, $100 for a rifle or shotgun, and $20 for an inoperable firearm. The money being offered was seized from those who raised it through alleged criminal activity, according to authorities.

Residents are permitted to turn in up to three guns each, no questions asked. Ammunition is not accepted, and firearms dealers are precluded from participating in the buyback.

“No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, we can all agree that our neighborhoods and towns should be safe places to live, work, start a family, and retire. That’s what this event is about,” Burlington County Freeholder Director Kate Gibbs said. “For every firearm that’s voluntarily surrendered, it represents one positive step towards reducing gun violence, one less opportunity for a child to be accidentally harmed, and one less weapon that could be stolen and used to commit a crime.”

“We are pleased to work with our Freeholder Board, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and our local agencies to make this worthy investment to enhance public safety,” Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. “We are especially grateful to the Alpha Baptist Church, its members, and Pastor Scotton for hosting and supporting this gun buyback. We always welcome the opportunity to join with community organizations in activities that strengthen our relationships.”

Assisting agencies in the upcoming buyback include the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department, and the police departments in Burlington City, Burlington Township, Lumberton, Mansfield, Moorestown, Mount Holly, Pemberton Township, Westampton and Willingboro.

“Simply put, too many people are dying as a result of gun violence,” Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said. “Partnering with Burlington County and the Alpha Baptist Church is a valuable opportunity to make our communities safer and take deadly weapons off of the streets.”

Burlington County also held a gun buyback in 2013. At that time, residents turned in 11 assault rifles, 209 handguns, and 234 rifles, shotguns and inoperable firearms.

For more information on the regional gun buyback, residents may call the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-265-5035 or the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-989-6309.

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