NJ Collects Thousands Of Guns In Buybacks

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The state of New Jersey has purchased more than 5,000 weapons as part of a gun surrender program.

Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced Tuesday that the state spent $242,225 in criminal forfeiture funds to buy back firearms.

The latest of three buyback programs took place Saturday and Sunday at six churches throughout Essex County in Orange, Newark, Montclair, Irvington, and East Orange. Payments were based on the type of firearm turned in, its overall condition and legality.

Officials in Essex County said more than 1,700 guns were purchased, including 1,100 handguns.

Six of the guns were found to be stolen and one was used in a shots fired incident.

Officials also collected a pen gun.

A December buyback in Camden netted more than 1,100 guns. More than 2,600 were collected last month in Trenton.

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