Gun turn-in program exceeds expectations
Gun turn-in program exceeds expectations
By Emma Graves Fitzsimmons
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
8:16 PM CDT, July 21, 2007
Almost 6,000 handguns and assault weapons were turned over to Chicago police on Saturday in exchange for $100 debit cards, officials said. The third "Don't kill a Dream, Save a Life" program was a "huge success" and the most successful attempt at taking guns off the street, said police spokeswoman Monique Bond.
"In light of the recent tragedies with so many young people's lives being taken, I think that people are starting to recognize that guns are dangerous," Bond said. "Along with the gun legislation the mayor is pushing, I think now a sense of urgency is there."
This year police appealed to residents to turn in guns by using the families of victims of gun violence to get the message out. The parents of 16-year-old Blair Holt, who was fatally shot on a CTA bus in May, helped police with the program. More than 20 faith institutions across the city participated as drop-off locations between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
About 745 replica and BB guns also were collected in exchange for a $10 debit card.
Last December, in a similar buyback program, police netted about 1,500 guns from 15 churches. About 3,000 guns were collected in April of 2006. The program encourages people to turn over guns with the promise that no questions will be asked. The goal is to get guns off the street to curb the murder rate.
The centers were so overwhelmed by participants that officials ran out of the prepaid MasterCards being handed out. Those who came after the cards were depleted would receive their debit cars next weekend, Bond said.
By Emma Graves Fitzsimmons
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
8:16 PM CDT, July 21, 2007
Almost 6,000 handguns and assault weapons were turned over to Chicago police on Saturday in exchange for $100 debit cards, officials said. The third "Don't kill a Dream, Save a Life" program was a "huge success" and the most successful attempt at taking guns off the street, said police spokeswoman Monique Bond.
"In light of the recent tragedies with so many young people's lives being taken, I think that people are starting to recognize that guns are dangerous," Bond said. "Along with the gun legislation the mayor is pushing, I think now a sense of urgency is there."
This year police appealed to residents to turn in guns by using the families of victims of gun violence to get the message out. The parents of 16-year-old Blair Holt, who was fatally shot on a CTA bus in May, helped police with the program. More than 20 faith institutions across the city participated as drop-off locations between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
About 745 replica and BB guns also were collected in exchange for a $10 debit card.
Last December, in a similar buyback program, police netted about 1,500 guns from 15 churches. About 3,000 guns were collected in April of 2006. The program encourages people to turn over guns with the promise that no questions will be asked. The goal is to get guns off the street to curb the murder rate.
The centers were so overwhelmed by participants that officials ran out of the prepaid MasterCards being handed out. Those who came after the cards were depleted would receive their debit cars next weekend, Bond said.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 3:02 AM
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