Gun buyback program today, no questions asked

Plainfield's newly formed 'Police And Clergy Together' (PACT) holds the first of two planned gun buyback events today from Noon to 4 PM at several locations.

With no questions asked, weapons of any sort -- handguns, assault handguns (UZIs), Assault rifles, rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic pistols, revolvers and more -- may be turned in for cash (up to $200).

Today's locations are-

• Shiloh Baptist Church, West 4th & Liberty
  
  
• Grace Episcopal Church, Cleveland Avenue & East 6th
  
  
• Rose of Sharon Community Church, 825 West 7th (near Grant)

The program will continue next Saturay, August 13, at the following locations --

• St. Mary's Church, Liberty Street & West 6th
  
  
• Ruth Fellowship Ministries, 735 South Second Street (near Spooner)
  
  
• Mt. Zion AME Church, 630 East Front Street
  
  
• First-Park Baptist Church, West 7th & Central Avenue

The program comes after a community-wide discussion of guns and youth violence was spearheaded last year by the Rev. Dr. Gerald Lamont Thomas, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church.

I recall a banner over Park Avenue in November or December 2009, I believe, announcing a gun turn-in or buyback event at the Plainfield Fire Division's headquarters sponsored by Mayor Robinson-Briggs, but do not recall any reports about the event or its outcome.

This gun buyback is sponsored by the City of Plainfield, Union County Prosecutor's Office, Union County Sheriff's Office, and the Plainfield Police Division. It is similar to buyback programs that have taken place in communities from Oakland, California to Boston, and from Milwaukee to Colorado.

---

-- Dan Damon [follow]

View today's CLIPS here. Not getting your own CLIPS email daily? Click here to subscribe..