Police officials from New York and New Jersey were on hand in Jersey City today to receive more than 900 illegal weapons that will be shredded and melted for use in a statue.

The "Peace Angel" statue will be donated to the NYPD's lower Manhattan headquarters.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly visited Sims Metal Management in Jersey City, where the guns will be recycled. He says he hopes the statue will inspire people to turn in their guns.

The Art of Peace Charitable Trust is making the statue. The winged angel will stand nearly 5 feet tall and consist of confiscated and repurposed street weapons and non-radioactive nuclear missile casings.

Several New Jersey mayors, including Mayor Jerramiah Healy of Jersey City, have joined forces with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition, an effort to get weapons off the streets.

Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey, who attended Tuesday's event, said the statute would be an effective way to make people reflect on the senseless gun violence he sees claiming many young lives.

"It's an opportunity to have something positive come out of something that's so devastating to lives in this region," Comey said.