DC Mayor, Police Chief Relaunch Illegal Gun Initiative

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier relaunched the District’s illegal gun initiative today in light of increased fatal shootings in the City.

The initiative seeks the public’s help to identify violent offenders who carry illegal firearms. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) currently offers a $1,000 reward to anyone who has

Bowser and Lanier announced new reward amounts of up to $2,500 for a tip leading to an arrest and a seizure of an illegal gun (from $1,000) and up to $10,000 for a tip leading to an arrest and conviction in a shooting (from $1,000).

“Illegal firearms are responsible for most homicides in the District. And illegal guns continue to make their way into the hands of violent criminals,” said Mayor Bowser in a news release. “Our police department is making progress – but they cannot do it alone. Many of these illegal guns have high capacity magazines, which inflict maximum damage on victims, their families and our neighborhoods. With the public’s help, we can get illegal firearms off the streets.”

By helping MPD seize illegal guns, residents can help prevent more tragedies. Someone who would like to report an illegal gun, or who has information about ANY crime, should call (202) 727-9099. When you call, you are not obligated to identify yourself. Alternatively, you can text an anonymous tip to 50411.

“Our actions are clear: we need to get illegal guns off the street so people aren’t put in harm’s way,” said Police Chief Lanier. “We are encouraging residents to step up and do the right thing by submitting tips that lead to the seizure of illegal guns.”

So far this year, MPD has taken 944 illegal guns off the street. For more information, go to www.mpdc.dc.gov/guntips.

PHOTOS: Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Cathy Lanier