Orange to hold Gun Buyback Program. March 26th and April 2nd,
4:30 pm-8:30pm, at The Church of the Epiphany, 105 Main Street. Orange.

Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr., and Police Director John E. Rappaport announced today that the Orange Police Department is implementing a “Operation Safe Haven: Gun Buyback/Violence Reduction Program in partnership with the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany and the Orange Board of Education. The purpose is to reduce weapons available in the community. The City conducted an earlier successful buyback program in March 2009. Funding for the program comes from the proceeds of seizures of illegal cash and involves no cost to taxpayers.

On the two dates members of the Orange Police Department will be on hand to accept and pay cash for surrendered firearms with no questions asked. Free gunlocks will also be made available. All operable firearms surrendered will be accepted, however, cash payment will be made for complete, manufactured real firearms only. In addition, while parts of a weapon and homemade firearms will be accepted, no cash payments will be issued for them. BB, pellet and air guns will be accepted, but will not be eligible for compensation. The Police Department will pay: $50 for handguns, $75 for Shotguns or rifles, $100 for automatic handguns, and $150 for assault rifles.

The Orange Board of Education will publicize the program through flyers sent home with students and by featuring information about the buybacks at its Martin Luther King Re-enactment March and Nonviolence Program on Monday, March 21st.

Those participating in the Gun Buyback need to know that the law requires that weapons being transported shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which they are being transported.

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
“The gun buyback program is an important part of the community policing initiative introduced by Police Director John Rappaport and myself. Community policing has transformed law enforcement in Orange and reduced crime by getting citizens actively involved in fighting crime. I want to thank the Church of the Epiphany and the Orange Board of Education for their partnership in this effort.”

Statement by Police Director John Rappaport:
“This program is designed to help reduce the risk of injury, accidental use, criminal possession and associated danger to both the general public and all law enforcement personnel. I urge citizens to participate in this important initiative.”
Note to news media: Due to the need to maintain the anonymity of those turning in guns, there will be no on-site coverage permitted. A news conference will be scheduled after April 2nd to announce the results of the program and to display the weapons turned in.

Photo of guns turned in during the 2009 program attached.