St. Sabina Offers Additional $100 For Assault Weapons At Gun Turn-In

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department is partnering with St. Sabina Church in hosting a no-questions-asked, gun turn-in event Saturday, June 11

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., people can turn in guns at St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78th Place, Chicago.
Guns that are turned in will each receive a $100 pre-paid Visa card, no questions asked. Each BB gun, air gun and replica gun will receive $10. Firearm experts will be on hand during the event to verify the authenticity of guns.

Separate from the city, Father Michael Pfleger announced that St. Sabina will give an additional $100 cash for every assault weapon that is brought to the church on Saturday.

“Everyone asks what can we do about violence going on around our city,” Pfleger said. “The gun turn-in is an opportunity to get rid of guns ourselves, no questions asked. We don’t have to wait for the senate or congress to make us safe from guns.”

Pfleger implored parents to search their homes and children’s rooms for guns and turn in any firearms that they may find.

“Make your house a safe zone, especially for the young people in your home,” Pfleger said. “For a young person, get rid of the gun and get some money for yourself. This is an opportunity to turn your life around.”

St. Sabina will offer programs to support any teen or young adult who asks for help to redirect their lives, including mentorship and job placement.

As of Thursday morning, Glen Brooks, director of CPD Community Policing, said Chicago police have recovered 4,957 guns off the streets.

Earlier this week, CPD Supt. David Brown said of the guns recovered since January 1, 419 of those guns were assault weapons, an 81-percent increase in assault weapons recovered as compared to the same timeframe in 2021.

Brooks also answered questions regarding how 30 percent of guns that are turned in at Chicago gun buy-back events being antiques or grandpa’s old hunting rifle.

Others have also criticized the program as a way for people to get rid of guns used in crimes.

“No one in the hospital asked how old the gun is or where it came from when they were shot,” Brooks said. “A gun doesn’t expire, it is capable of killing someone today. I would rather take a gun that’s an antique than not take an antique gun at all.”

Three mothers from Purpose Over Pain, an anti-gun violence group, clutched pictures of their deceased sons, all victims of gun violence.
“We’re begging you, turns the guns in,” co-founder Pam Bosley said. “You don’t want to be standing with us.”

Guns turned in at this event will be destroyed and never returned to the street.