Prosecutors pay cash for guns turned in by residents

More than 130 people turned over handguns, rifles and shotguns Saturday to the Monmouth County Prosecutor?s Office for cash.
Law enforcement officials in Long Branch paid residents as much as $100 per gun without asking questions about the origin or use of the weapons. The program is designed to encourage people to turn over stolen or found weapons and to keep guns off the streets.
Some residents doubt that the program has an effect on criminal usage of weapons. According to them, the people turning over guns are lawful owners who have no use for their old firearms. Officials say the program is a successful step in preventing crime and has brought in more than 5,000 guns since 2002.