Officials are out of cash and offering vouchers after Trenton's gun buyback exceeded expectations, netting 2,000 weapons by midday today.
TRENTON – Officials are out of cash and offering vouchers after Trenton's state-sponsored gun buyback exceeded expectations, netting 2,000 weapons by midday today.
Standing near a steady stream of people lined up amid yellow bins stuffed with rifles, shotguns and handguns, Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. said the turnout was a pleasant shock.
“We really didn’t know what to expect. With Camden, they had close to 1,200. I thought if we reached that number and a few hundred more we’d be doing well,” Bocchini said. “I was very surprised yesterday when the final tally came in. Where it goes from here, I don’t know. We’re not turning anyone away.”
At this rate, Bocchini said he wouldn't be surprised if the total turn-in exceeded 2,400.
On Friday, Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said he was more than willing to authorize money beyond the $100,000 in forfeiture funds his office initially planned on using.
Turns out that wasn't enough. After more than $150,000 in state and county funds dried up, officials turned to offering vouchers redeemable for cash.
Before the buyback even started at 8 a.m. today at Mt. Zion AME on Pennington Avenue, Bocchini and county prosecutor's office Capt. Veldon Harris said people were outside waiting.
A variety of guns had been turned in throughout the buyback. Harris and Bocchini estimated that up to 25 percent of the weapons were illegal.
The buyback continues until 8 p.m. today at the Pentecostal Church at 65 N. Clinton Ave. and at Mt. Zion AME at 42 Pennington Ave.
Vouchers can be redeemed on Friday from noon to 8 p.m. at the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office at 1589 Lamberton Road, in Trenton.