Saint Sabina Church Using $25,000 Donation For Gun Buyback Program Targeting Chicago Youths – CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) — A South Facet church is popping to younger individuals to get weapons off Chicago’s streets. For those who’re 25 or youthful, Saint Sabina can pay as much as $200 to purchase your gun.

The “gun buyback” comes after a weekend that noticed greater than 70 individuals shot, no less than 10 of them fatally.

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A couple of individuals got here out Monday morning to show over their weapons to Saint Sabina. They didn’t need to go on digital camera, however Rev. Michael Pfleger stated the purpose of all that is taking no matter step – irrespective of how small – to finish the gun violence that’s plaguing the town.

“We’ve gotten two handguns and two rifles,” Pfleger stated Monday morning.

These weapons are coming from younger individuals, age 25 and youthful. They’re the goal of this gun buyback program, and Pfleger stated the hope is extra of them will are available in to show of their weapons.

“One got here in early this morning, rang the doorbell about 6 o’clock and stated, ‘I’ll flip it in. I’ll come again later. I simply don’t need anyone to see me,’” Pfleger stated.

Of us on the church are specializing in younger individuals, as a result of they imagine they’re the toughest to get weapons from. It’s additionally why there’s a money incentive.

“If it’s a handgun, they’ll get $200; a rifle, $100; or if it’s only a journal or clip, $20,” she stated.

The church has put aside $25,000 total to purchase again weapons, because of cash donated by a neighborhood enterprise particularly to get weapons off the streets of Chicago.

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“Does this finish gun violence in Chicago? After all not. It’s only one thing more to attempt, and at this level with our metropolis having the numbers we’ve got, I imagine we’ve bought to attempt all the pieces,” Pfleger stated.

That’s as a result of those self same weapons are repeatedly resulting in shootings and killings within the streets of Chicago.

At the least 71 individuals have been shot in Chicago over the weekend, and no less than 10 of them have been killed.

At the least 5 of the victims have been beneath 18, together with a 17-year-old who was killed.

That’s why, along with money, Saint Sabina can be providing mentoring, counseling, and even shelter to the younger individuals who stroll via these doorways and switch of their weapons.

“A lot of our younger individuals really feel hopeless. They really feel like there’s nothing for them, there’s no alternatives, all they bought is the road, and we need to inform them no,” Pfleger stated.

The weapons collected by Saint Sabina might be turned in on the 6^th (Gresham) District CPD station.

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This system continues daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. till all the cash has been paid out.