County Holding Gun Buyback Program

Somerset County is holding a gun buyback program on two separate days in four locations around the county, with no questions asked.

The program will be held April 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and April 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be four locations—the Community Service Center on Stonehouse Road in Bernards Township, the First Baptist Church on Somerset Street in Somerset, the Community Baptist Church on Grove Street in North Plainfield; and St. John Episcopal on West High Street in Somerville.

According to a release from the Bridgewater Township Police, unloaded guns should be wrapped and tied or taped, then put in a box, bag or case to be sold back.

The program will pay $100 for operable handguns, $100 for operable rifles/shotguns and $250 for operable assault weapons.

Inoperable weapons, the release said, can be turned in for destruction, but no payment.

The program, the release said, is being done to reduce the number of guns in Somerset County, but residents will not be arrested for turning one in.

According to the release, most guns are owned by law-abiding people, but they can be stolen in a burglary, used unexpectedly in a heated argument or found by a child even if they are locked up.

For more information on whether your gun is an assault weapon, visit the New Jersey State Police website.

With any questions, contact Capt. Christopher Shea at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office by calling 908-575-3355, or Sgt. Douglas Brownlie at 908-575-3326 or email at brownlie@co.somerset.nj.us.