Gun crimes heavy in New Jersey

By: Phil Gregory

Wednesday New Jersey officials and Governor Corzine announced indictments of 12 people for the illegal possession and transfer of firearms involving crimes committed throughout the state.

By: Phil Gregory
philgregorynews@Gmail.com

Guns and gun crimes have been all over the New Jersey news this week. Bloody shootings in Jersey City and Newark have killed four people, including a Jersey City detective, and seriously wounded at least 11 others. Wednesday New Jersey officials and Governor Corzine announced indictments of 12 people for the illegal possession and transfer of firearms involving crimes committed throughout the state.

Listen:
[audio: 090722pgguns.mp3]

Authorities say federal, state and local officials worked together to trace guns recovered at crimes to make the arrests. State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes says he hopes other states join the effort to track down and prosecute illegal gun traffickers.

Fuentes: The minute we get to that point where we can go regional and then looking farther ahead go national then I think we finally reach the high ground on the issue of a very good program that we think is going to have an impact on gun trafficking to the state of New Jersey.

Authorities say the guns, including assault weapons and semi automatic handguns, were bought in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Georgia; illegally brought into New Jersey and used in a series of crimes.