Chicago Gun Turn-In Collects More Than 5,000 Weapons Off The Streets

In the wake of a violent weekend in Chicago—over a dozen wounded this weekend and a 14-year-old boy killed by gunfire Friday night—this year’s gun turn-in comes at a crucial time.

The gun turn-in is an event designed to get dangerous weapons off the streets, during which Chicago police collect firearms, no questions asked, in exchange for gift cards. This year’s turn-in has been dubbed “Don’t Kill a Dream, Save a Life.”

The turn-in was held Saturday, and police collected over 5,500 firearms. The firearms collected ranged from such weapons as sawed-off shotguns and an M-60 to “zip” guns and BB guns or replicas. Over 700 were BB guns or replicas, in fact.

Compared to 2010’s gun turn-in, which collected 3,900 weapons, “Don’t Kill a Dream, Save a Life” was one of the more successful turn-ins. While some guns aren’t actually the most dangerous kinds or are decades old and non functioning, Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy says any gun is welcome.

“I’m quite certain that if you look at some of these heavy weapons, we certainly are making a difference here, just by getting these guns off the street,” said McCarthy at a news conference as reported by CBS News. All the guns collected will be destroyed, in hopes of preventing terrible crimes committed with guns, such as the tragic death of the 14-year-old boy who was fatally shot just one day before the city’s gun-exchange program.