Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan announced Wednesday that $22,010 was paid to people who participated in a weekend gun surrender program in which 264 handguns and 11 assault weapons were among 311 guns surrendered to police. The gun surrender program is part of an on-going effort by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and municipal police departments in the county to reduce the number of weapons that are no longer wanted by their owners. "Since these weapons can potentially fall into the wrong hands and be used for illegal purposes, it is imperative that law enforcement offer a means of safely disposing of unwanted weapons,'' Prosecutor Kaplan said. "The exchange of operable handguns and assault rifles for cash is a fair incentive to help keep our streets safe.'' Prosecutor Kaplan said.