Carpentersville donates antique rifle to local VFW

Carpentersville trustees gave a World War II-era rifle that was headed for disposal in a piping-hot furnace a reprieve this week.

Trustees voted Tuesday to donate an Iver Johnson M1 Carbine rifle to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2298 in West Dundee, almost a year after the village board first discussed the option.

Police officials say they are awaiting the signed ordinance before releasing the gun, which has been modified to shoot blanks.

The semi-automatic rifle is the type of weapon the West Dundee VFW Post displays during parades and other ceremonies, said Richard Moen, armory officer at the West Dundee VFW Post.

"We have only ever had six rifles, so we could never do a 21-gun salute," said Moen. "It will be nice to have a full complement. There's a reason they call it a 21-gun salute."

Trustee Judy Sigwalt said she was proud of the decision to hand the weapon over to the VFW.

"That gun is like a veteran itself," Sigwalt said. "It served in the second World War. I am happy and proud that I gave my yes vote."

The approval came more than 10 months after the board first discussed passing the gun over to the VFW.

The rifle was among 33 weapons Carpentersville police had intended to sell in to a licensed gun dealer in late 2007 for about $3,000.

However, Village President Bill Sarto tried to block the sale, fearing the guns could be used in criminal activities.

Despite a veto attempt, the board in December backed the sale of the guns.

A few weeks later, the board changed its vote when Carpentersville business owner Tom Roeser offered $3,000 in exchange for the destruction of the weapons.

West Dundee Post Commander Pat Green then suggested the village donate the M1 Carbine.

Legal questions delayed the donation until this week, Sigwalt said.