The Bloomington Police Department will be holding a Gun Buyback Event on Sunday, 10/29/23, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or until funds run out. The buyback will be held at the Bloomington Fire Department Maintenance and Training Annex, located at 2602 Six Points Road. This event was made possible by grant funds awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Chief Jamal Simington stated, “The Bloomington Police Department continues to work with our residents to prevent and solve crimes in our community. This gun buyback program is being made available to our residents who no longer wish to have guns in their households or otherwise. This is another great opportunity for BPD to increase gun safety in our jurisdiction.”
This is a “no questions” asked event and payment will be provided in cash. Cash payouts will be limited to four firearms per vehicle. Additional firearms may be turned in, but cash will only be paid for the four highest valued firearms. The following payouts will apply:
$200 for handguns, rifles, or shotguns
$400 for “ghost guns” as defined in 720 ILCS 5/24-5.1
$500 for “assault weapons” as defined in 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9
*Firearms must be complete. Payout will not be given for partial firearms, frames, upper receivers, lower receivers, etc.
Firearms turned in during this event will be sent off for destruction. A computer records check will be conducted on serialized firearms. All reasonable attempts to return a stolen firearm to the rightful owner will be made.
Instructions for participants:
All FIREARMS SHALL BE UNLOADED and no ammunition included with the firearms!
The firearms need to be placed inside a firearm case or container of some type (e.g. cardboard box). The encased firearms shall be placed out of the reach of occupants and in the trunk, rear hatch area, or bed of the vehicle.
When you arrive on the day of the event, do not go directly to the Bloomington Fire Department Maintenance and Training Annex. Proceed to South Mitsubishi Motorway, the road immediately to the east of the Training Annex. Participants will be staged in this area to avoid traffic congestion. If you are arriving from the east, there will be an electronic message board telling you where to turn. You will see uniformed officers in this area directing you where to proceed. They will provide you with further instructions and advise when you can proceed to the Training Annex.
Occupants shall remain inside their vehicle at all times. There will be no reason for the occupants to exit the vehicle to facilitate the exchange.
An officer will meet with the driver and discuss the types of firearms being turned in. They will insure both parties agree to the cash being exchanged for the firearms before proceeding further. The firearms will be retrieved by the officer and brought to a secure area. Another officer will meet with the driver and exchange the cash. The driver will proceed to exit the premises.