Evanston police say the gun buyback program held at the Unitarian Church today in partnership with Moms Demand Action took in 59 guns — 20 long guns and 39 handguns.
That’s nearly double the 32 weapons turned in at the last gun buyback in June at Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church.
Five air rifles were also turned in today.
The gun buyback program offers residents $100 cash for each weapon turned in, money that Police Cmdr. Ryan Glew said gun owner could “use for the holidays.”
The turnover of the weapons also means those 59 guns are no longer at risk of being abused or stolen and used for criminal activity, Glew added.
The event was coordinated by the Evanston Police Problem Solving Team and community leaders. Weapons turned in are turned over to a vendor who grinds them up into scrap metal.
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