28 Firearms Turned in at Gun Buyback

Police collected 28 firearms at a gun buyback at Pope John XXIII School Saturday. 

Participants turned in 19 handguns, five rifles and four shotguns, according to a press release issued by the police department.

“There’s always hope for more, but I’m not disappointed,” Police Chief Richard Eddington said.

Several participants also turned in ammo and accessories, according to the press release.

Eddington said that all turned-in firearms will be destroyed after the buyback.

Participants who brought firearms were given $100 in exchange for the weapon, but ammo and accessories could not be turned in for cash.

At the last buyback in December, 47 firearms were turned in. 

Eddington said that he did not expect criminals to turn in illegal firearms, but one handgun that had been reported stolen in Chicago about 17 years ago was brought to the buyback. Police will not investigate the crime because the program is amnesty based, according to the press release.

Eddington said that even though he did not expect participants to bring illegal firearms, “buyback prevented those guns as burglaries.”

He said that acquiring these firearms can impact downstream events, such criminals stealing a legally registered gun for violent use. 

Sally Clark Arden, office manager at St. Nicholas Parish who helped organize and facilitate the buyback, said that the buyback is an effective way to get guns off the streets. 

“This is a statement to the community that we cooperate with each other [the community and the police department],” Arden continued. “We are looking out for the safety of the neighborhood.”