Monmouth Gun Buyback Nets 1,500 Weapons

ASBURY PARK, N.J. (AP) - Officials in New Jersey have netted another 1,500 weapons during the state's fourth gun buyback program.

That brings the total number of guns collected to 7,000 since December.

State Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa says 45 illegal weapons were collected in the Monmouth County program including sawed-off shotguns and an AK-47 rifle. Chiesa announced the results Tuesday.

Officials say they collected handguns, rifles and shotguns. Only 40 of the weapons were inoperable.

The event was held Friday and Saturday in Asbury Park and Keansburg.

Officials say they spent more than $200,000 in state and county criminal forfeiture funds on the guns-for-cash program.

Weapons are exchanged for up to $250 under the no-questions-asked program.

A fifth gun buyback is scheduled for Atlantic County on March 22 and 23.

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