Evanston Gun Buyback Program

The City of Evanston and the Evanston Community Foundation will be teaming up with several community organizations to co-sponsor a gun buyback program for Evanston residents. The gun buyback event will be held from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church located at 1711 Simpson St. in Evanston.

Click here to contribute to the Evanston Gun Buyback Fund at the Evanston Community Foundation. Please select Evanston Gun Buyback Fund on the donation form.

Guns must be unloaded, in operational condition and participants must have proof of Evanston residency. Examples of proof of residency include a piece of mail, Evanston Public Library card, student ID or a government-issued ID.

This is an amnesty-based buyback program and no police enforcement action will be taken as a result of someone turning in a firearm. Participants are encouraged to bring in ammunition, ammunition clips, and magazines, but kept separate from the weapon at all times. Weapons should be transported in the trunk of a vehicle or in an inaccessible area of a van or pickup truck.

There is a two gun limit and participants in the buyback program will receive cash for each firearm. The program will operate on a first come, first served basis and will end at the designated time or when all funds are exhausted.

If an Evanston resident wishes to participate in the gun buyback program, but is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with handling a firearm, they can call 3-1-1 for assistance and an officer will come out to the residence to retrieve the firearm. Amnesty will still apply for this type of request.

If a participant wishes to receive a receipt indicating that the weapon is no longer in their possession for record keeping purposes, they will then be asked for additional information.

"I would like to thank the Evanston Community Foundation for their efforts in helping organize this important community event along with their generous financial support," said Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl. "I would also like to thank Evanston resident Carolyn Murray for suggesting the idea, Northwestern University, the Cherry Family Foundation, and NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) Evanston Hospital for their help and most generous financial support that will go far in removing dangerous weapons off our streets and protecting our innocent youth from gun violence."

"There is no instant or single solution to the problem of gun violence, nor any way to undo the losses we have already suffered. The Foundation has responded to the Mayor's request for assistance in the hope that our community can decrease residents' access to guns in moments of anger or fear and that we can demonstrate our shared resolve to prevent violence," said Sara Schastok, President and CEO of the Evanston Community Foundation.

Norhwestern University has donated $10,000, the Cherry Family Foundation has donated $5,000, and NorthShore Evanston Hospital and the Evanston Community Foundation has donated $1,000 to the program.

Firearms are a potential hazard in any home. Firearms can be stolen, used in an accidental shooting or suicide. When guns are used in criminal attacks, the outcomes are often irreversible and fatal.

Guns are often used to settle disputes. Settling disputes with guns can have a devastating impact on communities and innocent victims. The access and availability of firearms is associated with an increased risk of suicide in the home.