Bring unwanted guns to Union County’s buy-back event, October 23
by
Alexander Mirabella
Chairman, Union County Board of County Commissioners
October 2021
Our nation has come a long way since the days when gun violence was associated almost entirely with known criminals and gang-related street violence. School shootings have become so commonplace that they rarely make headlines, and it seems that our youth are at risk no matter where they go, whether it’s a sporting event, a birthday party or a neighbor’s home.
All too often, the guns used in these violent outbreaks are wielded by youth and adults who have access to weapons at home.
In particular, the research shows that guns used in school related violence typically come from the shooters’s home, or from the homes of other family or friends.
Fortunately, many of our residents have the power to help keep guns out of the wrong hands.
New Jersey has among the most strict gun ownership laws in the nation, but it is not unusual for our residents to come into the possession of an unlicensed or unwanted gun, whether it’s the result of an inheritance, a gift, a hobby, or any other happenstance.
Here in Union County, we know that unwanted guns in the home are a common occurrence because we have taken hundreds of them out of our neighborhoods in recent years, thanks to the many residents who participate in our gun amnesty buy-back events.
Gun amnesty buy-back events are the perfect opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted guns in your possession, and to collect a reward for doing a good deed.
At Union County’s gun buy-back events, we offer up to $250.00 for each gun turned in, in any condition – working or not. Anonymity is guaranteed and absolutely no questions are asked.
Our next buyback event is coming up this Saturday, October 23. Residents can bring their unwanted guns at any time between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to any of these locations:
Elizabeth: Master’s Table Christian Fellowship, 207-211 Bond Street
Plainfield: Shiloh Baptist Church, 515-521 West Fourth Street
Westfield: Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 506 Westfield Avenue
No appointment is necessary. We only ask that you convey the weapon in a secure container and bring it straight to the buy-back location of your choice, without stopping off along the way.
In advance of this Saturday’s event, I want to thank all the residents who are planning to participate. If you have not already done so, there is still time to look through your closets, drawers and garage shelves. Your participation in the buy-back event has the potential to save lives and help ensure that children in our community feel safe and secure, in school and out.
Union County’s gun amnesty buy-back events are a collaborative effort with the Union County Department of Public Safety, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel, Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Jr. and local law enforcement. For more details visit ucnj.org.