Minneapolis Police Sgt. William Palmer examines one of thousands of guns stored at a secure facility in the metro area. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2011. The seized guns are stored to be used as evidence in court cases and most are eventually destroyed. MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Stolen guns often wind up in the property and evidence unit of the Minneapolis Police Department. The room is a death row for recovered guns. If they aren't claimed, the guns are melted down and turned into rebar -- the steel bars that reinforce sidewalks and roads. >> Read MPR's related project here.

Gallery Fullscreen Slide Previous Slide 15 of 15 Shelves house thousands of handguns in a secure facility in the metro area, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2011. MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson 1 of 15 Minneapolis Police Sgt. William Palmer examines one of thousands of guns stored at a secure facility in the metro area. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2011. The seized guns are stored to be used as evidence in court cases and most are eventually destroyed. MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson 2 of 15 Case#: 10-029860. Description: Jukar .45-caliber black powder pistol. MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson Next Slide