Guns kept in homes are more likely to be involved in a fatal or nonfatal accidental shooting than to be used in a manner of self-defense.
The Deerfield Police Department strongly urges its’ residents to adhere to strict gun safety and storage. To assist in the practice, the Department has made “gun-locks” available at no cost to Deerfield residents at the Police facility, 850 Waukegan Road.
Gun owners can make their homes and communities safer by storing their guns securely. This means storing them locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition. Securing firearms protects children and adults by preventing unintentional shootings or discharges. With more guns in more homes due to an unprecedented surge in gun sales over the past two years, it’s more important than ever for parents and caregivers to know how secure storage protects children. During the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a rise in unintentional shootings by children and gunfire on school grounds. And in 2020, gun suicide among children ages 17 and under reached the highest rate in more than 20 years and firearms became the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Storing firearms securely can help prevent these tragedies and keep kids safe. You can learn more about safe storage at https://besmartforkids.org/.
The Department also provides a firearm disposal service for Deerfield residents looking to rid their home of unwanted guns and ammunition to eliminate the possibility of misuse, accidental discharge or theft. In addition to firearms, the Deerfield Police Department will also accept non-working, antique, replica, pellet and BB guns.
Weapons and ammunition may be dropped off at the Deerfield Police Department, 850 Waukegan Road, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When bringing a firearm to the Deerfield Police Department to be turned in, we ask that the following protocol be followed for everyone’s safety.
- When feasible, call 847-945-8636 to make an appointment for drop-off or advise the Communications Center you are en route to drop-off a weapon.
- The firearm must be delivered unloaded.
- The firearm should be left in your vehicle when you arrive at the police department. An officer will retrieve the weapon from your vehicle.
- If transporting a firearm by vehicle, the firearm must be transported in the trunk or cargo area of the vehicle by someone legally authorized to possess a firearm (18 years of age or older with a valid FOID card).
- If turning in ammunition, it should be packaged in a separate bag.
- If you are not authorized to possess a gun and do not have a FOID card, or are unsure if the weapon is loaded or not, please do not transport the firearm to the Police Department. Call the Deerfield Police Department at 847-945-8636, to arrange for an officer to conduct a pick-up.
When firearms are turned in to the Deerfield Police Department, its serial number will be run through a law enforcement database to ensure it is not reported stolen or has been used in a crime. The firearm will then be turned over to the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory to be properly destroyed.
If you have questions about this program, please call the Deerfield Police Department non-emergency number at 847-945-8636.