Guns-For-Cash Program In Need Of, Well, Cash

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 29, 2010 8:40PM

We're approaching the date for the City's gun-buy-back program, but the City reports it's running short on one important factor: the money. The buy-back is scheduled for a week from this Saturday, May 8, at 22 locations around the city. But Mayor Daley says a consequence of the current economic crisis is that donations for the program have shrunk. In 2008, the City had $130,000 but that plummeted drastically to $50,000 last year (no word on how much the City has accumulated for this year's program). Mayor Daley offered a succinct reason for the smaller funds: "The economy is going down, that's why." Terry Hillard, former CPD Supt. and co-chair of the program, said, "Call one person and ask them to come up with $50 or $75 or $100, to put toward this initiative, so we can make this a successful drive last Saturday." For this year's program, an assault weapon will net you $100, any other gun will be $75, and a BB gun gets you $10. An FAQ and complete list of locations can be found here [PDF].