Trade Guns for Cash At Romeoville Police Department

ROMEOVILLE, IL -- Romeoville police will host a Gun Buy Back program from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the police department, 1050 W. Romeo Road.

Residents can turn in weapons, no questions asked and without penalty -- even if they don't have a FOID card -- and get $60 in return. "Cash will be paid on the spot for each weapon turned in," police said. "Ammunition may be turned in as well; however, there will be no payment to individuals turning in ammunition only."

Weapons should be unloaded and placed in a bag or other container and transported to the police department in the trunk or rear area of a vehicle.

"If you are unfamiliar with weapons, do not to try to unload it or tamper with it in any way," police cautioned. "Persons wishing to participate in the program, but do not have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card (F.O.I.D) will be given amnesty during transport provided they travel in a direct route from their home to the drop off point. Once you arrive at the site, an officer will take possession of your weapon, no questions will be asked of the person turning in the weapons."

If you wish to turn in a weapon but don't have transportation or would prefer a police officer transport the weapon, contact the police department and assistance will be provided on a case-by-case basis.

Romeoville police said the buy back is a way to get unwanted or forgotten weapons out of the community -- and potentially out of the hands of suspects.

Police officers across the country see many instances where suspects, particularly juveniles, commit a crime with an older weapon that the rightful owner no longer uses, has forgotten about, or has seemingly lost track of. Our goal is to reduce the amount of firearms within our community that fall into this category. We are encouraging residents who know of unwanted weapons in their home to turn them in to include weapons that were previously owned by someone who is now deceased or has left the home.

For more information about the program, contact Sgt. Christopher Burne at 815-886-7215.