Gun Buyback Program Failure

Introduction to Gun Buyback Programs

Gun buyback programs aim to take firearms off the streets by offering cash for guns, but one weapon has reportedly ended up back on the street, raising concerns. It’s estimated that the Chicago Police Department has taken thousands of guns off the street. There’s a system in place to log and destroy the guns that are turned in.

Investigation into the Missing Gun

The Illinois Answers Project and Sun Times led an investigation into what happened at a south side gun buyback in 2023 when the gun went missing. A group of reporters have been able to match the missing gun to shell casings at three different Chicago shootings.

Internal Affairs Investigation

Casey Toner with the Illinois Answers Project says the internal affairs investigation into the gun was closed. “They closed it and basically said there was a Sargeant responsible for overseeing it. That officer was given a one-day suspension,” Toner said. “But that’s not the case. Now we are learning the investigation is ongoing.”

Details of the Investigation

A short audio clip details part of the questioning by investigators trying to piece together how the .45 caliber Glock disappeared.

• Investigator: Again, in your opinion, you think it was lost in the station?
• Officer: Yes
• Investigator: Okay and when you found it, when you discovered the error, who did you tell?
• Officer: I told everyone in the office. I asked, “where’s the Glock?”

Unraveling the Moments Before the Gun Went Missing

Toner has unraveled details about the moments before the gun went missing. “The investigation said there may have been a cleaning lady there as well, but it was almost all police officers,” Toner said. “Those were the people that were processing the gun, those are the people who were admiring the gun when it came in.”

Impact on the Community

Crystal Reynolds who spoke with the Sun Times discovered that the gun was used during a shooting outside her building. The bullets luckily missed her. “I was kind of shocked and disappointed… how many more guns have been put on the street again,” Reynolds said in an interview with the Sun Times.

Conclusion

It’s not clear how the gun wound up back on the street. Since then, there have been some changes to the way guns are recorded once they are turned in. It may be some time before the full investigation into what happened is done. WGN did reach out to the Chicago Police Department about the Illinois Answers Project report that was released. They have not yet responded.

FAQs

• Q: What is the purpose of gun buyback programs?
  A: Gun buyback programs aim to take firearms off the streets by offering cash for guns.
• Q: How many guns have been taken off the street by the Chicago Police Department?
  A: It’s estimated that the Chicago Police Department has taken thousands of guns off the street.
• Q: What happened to the missing gun?
  A: The missing gun was matched to shell casings at three different Chicago shootings.
• Q: What changes have been made to the way guns are recorded once they are turned in?
  A: There have been some changes to the way guns are recorded once they are turned in, but the specifics are not clear.
• Q: Is the investigation into the missing gun still ongoing?
  A: Yes, the investigation is still ongoing.