JERSEY CITY – The Jersey City Police Department and Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy announced Tuesday the next phase of Operation Lifesaver 2, the city’s gun buyback program.
On Saturday, Oct. 8 from noon until 3 p.m. residents can once again trade in their unwanted firearms for cash. Depending on the type of weapon turned in, each gun can be traded for $100 or $150 in cash. Owners of rifles and shotguns will get $100, while handguns and automatics will fetch $150.
As a gun amnesty program, Operation Lifesaver does not require residents to give their names or any details about how they acquired or used the firearm.
There will be four locations throughout the city where guns can be turned in, including: Saint John’s AME Church, 326 Pacific Ave; St. Michael’s Methodist Church, 37 Virginia Ave.; New Hope Baptist Church, 472 Bergen Ave.; and Abundant Joy Community Church, 137 Bowers Street.
The city launched Operation Lifesaver 2 last summer when 234 weapons were turned in over two consecutive weekends in July.
The gun buyback, which was made possible by donations from local businesses, residents, and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, was part of the city’s Operation Summer Shield – a multi-faceted plan to stem crime throughout the city.
The Interfaith Ministerial Alliance is also a cosponsor of the buyback.
“The first two weekends were very successful, which led us to conclude we should add at least a third weekend,” said Mayor Healy in a statement released Tuesday.
Operation Lifesaver 2 is a continuation of the city’s first gun buyback effort, Operation Lifesaver, which Healy launched in 2005. That year 897 weapons were taken off the streets.
“Any gun we take off the streets ends the opportunity for that gun to play a role in violent street crime and that’s a win for our city,” Healy added. – E. Assata Wright
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