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Joliet On Pace To Break Records For Guns Seized In One Year

JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) -- Joliet police say they did not want to break a record they set last year, but it looks like it's going to happen.

As WBBM Newsradio's Dave Berner reports, Joliet is on pace this year to seize the largest number of guns ever.

"Number one, I'm happy we're getting those guns off the street. Guys are doing a great job; they're working hard," said Joliet police Chief Mike Trafton. "But then the other point – it's alarming because the amount of guns that are out there."

Joliet police seized 93 guns in all of 2011. This year, they have already seized 120.

"If we're getting that many guns off the street, that's just telling you how many people are out there, and that's not a good thing for the people of Joliet; it's not a good thing for my officers, you know?" Trafton said.

Trafton says most of the guns are handguns, while some are semi-automatic weapons.

"They're obviously not having trouble getting these guns," Trafton said.

But there is some good news out of this. Violent crimes are down slightly so far this year in Joliet.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Dave Berner reports

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