This month, the Naperville Police Department is making our community ‘A Safer Naper’ by focusing on two NPD programs related to firearm safety that can help reduce the risk of theft, misuse and accidental discharge.
Securing Firearms
According to Pew Research, about four-in-ten U.S adults say they live in a gun-owning household. Securing your firearm when not in use is the number one way to prevent accidents in the home. Unfortunately, each year children will get ahold of an unsecured firearm with deadly consequences.
Starting this February, the Naperville Police Department, in partnership with Project ChildSafe, will begin distributing free ChildSafe firearm safety kits to Naperville residents. Each kit includes a cable-style gun lock, instructions and additional firearm safety information.
Firearm owners residing in Naperville who do not own a safety lock are strongly encouraged to pick up a ChildSafe safety kit. The kits are available, free of charge and while supplies last, at the front desk of the police station (1350 Aurora Ave.) from 7AM to 8PM on weekdays and from 10AM to 6PM on Saturdays.
Discarding Unwanted Firearms
The Naperville Police Department also has a Firearm Take Back Program for Naperville residents to rid their homes of firearms that they have inherited or no longer want. Ridding homes of unwanted firearms eliminates the risk of theft, misuse and accidental discharge.
When the program guidelines are followed, residents can dispose of firearms without fear of criminal charges. We also accept junk, non-working, antique, replica, pellet and BB guns.
For safety reasons, very specific protocol must be followed to participate in this program. Residents interested in utilizing this program must call (630) 420-6666 to make an appointment to drop the firearm off at the Police Department or to arrange for a private pick-up. Complete details are available at www.naperville.il.us/firearmtakeback.
When a firearm is turned in, its serial number is run through a law enforcement database to ensure it has not been reported stolen or used in a crime. Naperville Police will not arrest you for unlawful possession of an illegal firearm if you are surrendering the firearm in compliance with the guidelines of this program, but amnesty will not be given for any crime committed with that firearm or for any crime committed while in possession of that firearm.
Again, we encourage interested participants to view complete program details at www.naperville.il.us/firearmtakeback.
Until next month, stay safe and stay aware.
