359 Guns Turned In At Buy Back Event in Rumson, Asbury Park

The county doled out $25,100 in cash for 359 guns it will eventually destroy during a recent two-day gun buyback event held Rumson and Asbury Park this weekend. 

There were 5 assault weapons, 59 semi-automatic handguns, 157 revolvers, 52 shotguns, and 56 rifles voluntarily and anonymously surrendered by owners.

Among the guns traded in for cash were a MAC-10 with sound suppressor and high-capacity magazines; an SKS Soviet military-style semi-automatic weapon with fixed bayonet; a Marlin Model 99 .22-cal. Rifle; an Arsenal SLR-95 AK-47 reproduction model; and an M-1 carbine military assault rifle.

Nine inoperable weapons and 21 BB-guns were also surrendered even though there was no cash reward for them. 

"The naysayers of gun amnesty programs like this miss one important issue – not everyone understands about responsible storage of weapons and some don’t know the law concerning the sale of weapons, so a gun buy back program offers the best solution, because unwanted and improperly stored weapons can end up in the wrong hands of the wrong person,” said Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni in a statement.

The gun buy back program was made possible in part by a generous donation from the Sellig family and the Community Foundation of New Jersey, said the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. 

On Friday, 209 firearms were surrendered: 112 in Asbury Park and 97 in Rumson. On Saturday, 150 firearms were surrendered: 76 in Asbury Park and 74 in Rumson.