Elizabeth police plan gun surrender program
By Paul Greulich, Staff Writer
The city of Elizabeth is gearing up for its first gun surrender program in more than a decade, an event that could allow people from all around the county a chance to dispose of unwanted firearms.
While the specific criteria and procedure of gun surrender programs can vary somewhat, they typically allow anyone in possession of any sort of firearm to turn the weapon over to authorities anonymously, in return for cash. The guns are then destroyed.
This was the model employed in a successful gun surrender program which took place recently in Newark, where authorities offered $200 per gun. In some instances, the weapons are exchanged for food stamps, gift certificates, or other merchandise. A cash sum commonly used is about $200 per weapon, though this can vary, depending on the sort of firearm turned in.
While the details of Elizabeth’s event are still being ironed out by the city’s police department in conjunction with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Deputy Chief John Deegan said he expects plenty of interest from the public.
“I think we’ll do well,” Deegan said. “We’re probably looking at the beginning or middle of February.”
While many firearms may be worth either much less or much more than the sums they are typically exchanged for during gun surrenders, Deegan said these programs appeal to people who have inherited firearms from family members and are looking for the easiest way to be rid of it.
“They just want to get it out of the house,” Deegan said. “They don’t care, they just want to get rid of it.”
The city of Elizabeth is gearing up for its first gun surrender program in more than a decade, an event that could allow people from all around the county a chance to dispose of unwanted firearms.
While the specific criteria and procedure of gun surrender programs can vary somewhat, they typically allow anyone in possession of any sort of firearm to turn the weapon over to authorities anonymously, in return for cash. The guns are then destroyed.
This was the model employed in a successful gun surrender program which took place recently in Newark, where authorities offered $200 per gun. In some instances, the weapons are exchanged for food stamps, gift certificates, or other merchandise. A cash sum commonly used is about $200 per weapon, though this can vary, depending on the sort of firearm turned in.
While the details of Elizabeth’s event are still being ironed out by the city’s police department in conjunction with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Deputy Chief John Deegan said he expects plenty of interest from the public.
“I think we’ll do well,” Deegan said. “We’re probably looking at the beginning or middle of February.”
While many firearms may be worth either much less or much more than the sums they are typically exchanged for during gun surrenders, Deegan said these programs appeal to people who have inherited firearms from family members and are looking for the easiest way to be rid of it.
“They just want to get it out of the house,” Deegan said. “They don’t care, they just want to get rid of it.”
Read more in this week's UC LocalSource, Click Here to SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Comment
© 2010 Created by My Town Navigator.
Powered by 
.
You need to be a member of Elizabeth, NJ Navigator to add comments!
Join Elizabeth, NJ Navigator