Gun Locks Available For Free At Deerfield Police Department

DEERFIELD, IL — The Deerfield Police Department is strongly urging residents to adhere to strict gun safety and storage. To assist in the practice, the Department has made “gun locks” available at no cost to Deerfield residents at the Police facility, 850 Waukegan Road, according to the Village's weekly e-newsletter.

Police said guns kept in homes are more likely to be involved in a fatal or nonfatal accidental shooting than to be used in a manner of self-defense.

Deerfield police also provide a firearm disposal service for Deerfield residents looking to rid their home of unwanted guns and ammunition to eliminate the possibility of misuse, accidental discharge or theft, according to the news release. In addition to firearms, the Deerfield Police Department will also accept non-working, antique, replica, pellet and BB guns.

Weapons and ammunition may be dropped off at the Deerfield Police Department, 850 Waukegan Road, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When bringing a firearm to the Deerfield Police Department to be turned in, police ask that the following protocol be followed for everyone’s safety.

• When feasible, call 847-945-8636 to make an appointment for drop-off or advise the Communications Center you are en route to drop-off a weapon.
• The firearm must be delivered unloaded.
• The firearm should be left in your vehicle when you arrive at the police department. An officer will retrieve the weapon from your vehicle.
• If transporting a firearm by vehicle, the firearm must be transported in the trunk or cargo area of the vehicle by someone legally authorized to possess a firearm (18 years of age or older with a valid FOID card).
• If turning in ammunition, it should be packaged in a separate bag.
• If you are not authorized to possess a gun and do not have a FOID card, or are unsure if the weapon is loaded or not, please do not transport the firearm to the Police Department. Call the Deerfield Police Department at 847-945-8636, to arrange for an officer to conduct a pick-up.

When firearms are turned in to the Deerfield Police Department, the serial numbers will be run through a law enforcement database to ensure it is not reported stolen or has been used in a crime, according to the news release. The firearm will then be turned over to the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory to be properly destroyed.

Residents with questions can call the Deerfield Police Department non-emergency number at 847-945-8636.