Monmouth County to Hold Gun Buyback Program [AUDIO]

On Thursday, State Attorney General Jeff Chiesa announced another gun buyback program.  This one will take place in March in Monmouth County.

Chiesa said the program allows participants to turn in up to three guns, and receive anywhere from $50 to $250 depending on its condition.  Those turning in guns will be asked no questions about the guns themselves.

It's the state's fourth program.  "We've had programs now in Camden, Trenton and in Essex County. Those programs in total have brought in over 5,400 guns including over 1,000 illegal guns," said Chiesa.

He said he's been overwhelmed by the number of weapons collected so far.

Two churches will serve as drop off locations in Keansburg and in Asbury Park on March 8th and 9th. Shiloh Community Fellowship Ministry in Asbury Park and Saint Ann Catholic Church in Keansburg will be hosting the programs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

"This is one feature to reduce gun violence throughout New Jersey. So in addition to the drug cases that we do and the gang cases that we do and the gun trafficking cases that we do, this is another feature where we get at guns in New Jersey by offering people a chance to bring their guns in and taking them out of circulation and reducing the risk that people who live in the communities who are most affected by gun violence," said Chiesa.

Participants should make sure the weapon is not loaded before turning it in. Any ammunition should be removed from the weapon and be safely secured in a case if possible.  Once at the site, the guns will be taken by police officers where they will be taken through an evaluation process to determine its value.

The program is a cooperative effort with the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office, New Jersey State Police, the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office and the faith-based community in Monmouth County.  It's funded by The State Forfeiture Fund that accumulates money from violent criminals, drug dealers, gun traffickers and others where assets are seized and converted into cash to be used for specific types of programs.

For more information, visit go to the web site at www.nj.gov/guns or call 609-984-5828