Ankeny, Metro Police Departments Collecting Unwanted Guns

An increase in drive-by shootings, armed robberies and other gun violence in Des Moines and the metro area has prompted several suburban police departments to take part in “gun take-back” events during National Police Week.

Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Mitchellville and Pleasant Hill all participating in this event from 12-6 p.m. Friday at local police departments. The Ankeny Police Department is located at 411 S.W. Ordnance Rd.

Guns and ammunition may not be turned over anonymously. Individuals dropping them off must provide identification to determine if the gun has been used in a crime, or if the guns and ammunition would lead authorities to suspects in crimes.

What Happens After Guns Are Collected?

Guns collected in the events will be turned over to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Crime Lab, KCCI reported. There are already more than 1,700 long guns and 2,400 handguns in a collection that is used for parts, to solve crimes, for training and occasionally during sting operations.

The DCI would like to collect every make and model of gun ever manufactured. Those that aren’t needed for the collection may be sent to other collections around the country or auctioned off by the Iowa Department of Natural Resoruces or repurposed for law enforcement. The others are destroyed.

Individuals participating should place unloaded firearms in the trunk. Anyone who is unsure of the right way to unload a weapon should call ahead for assistance. No money will be given in exchange for the weapons.

Similar events were held Wednesday in Urbandale, West Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights.