Authorities collected 332 firearms at this past weekend’s gun buyback program in Essex County, the county prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday.

Over $41,000 was paid to those those who turned in guns at Bethany Baptist Church on Saturday, with $250 as the the maximum payout per gun.

“The proliferation of guns has been a serious serious problem for a long long time " said Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura said of the event.

“I can remember when we started, if you found a gun when we went out on the job, you’d automatically get a medal. Today when our bureau narcotics and detectives come back without a gun, the first question we ask is what happened? Where’s the gun you couldn’t find it’?”

Some of 332 guns collected on Sat., March 30, 2019

During the buyback, which was sponsored by the Essex Bar Association, people turned in gun with no questions asked.

In return, officials say they hope to reduce gun violence.

“For every bullet that is off the streets a life is saved," said acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II. “There are a numerous variety of guns here, and we’re very happy to say we got some assault style rifles off the street as well.”

Approximately $75,000 was raised by Essex County Bar Foundation to fund the buyback, which is the first the county has had since 2017 and the first to be sponsored by a private organization.

Stephens said the county would like to do more gun buy backs and increase locations in further years.

In 2017, the state Attorney General’s Office ran gun buybacks in Newark, Trenton and Camden and paid out $481,620 for 4,775 guns.

Some of 332 guns collected at Essex County gun buy back on Saturday March 30.

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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