Church hosts Guns to Gardens Safe Surrender Event, taking aim at reducing gun violence
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Memphis, TN – As gun violence continues to plague the City of Memphis, a local church is hoping to spark some change with a unique gun surrender event.
Guns to Gardens is a nationwide campaign aimed at stopping gun violence. It’s been successful in cities like Denver and Philadelphia.
Rev. Patrick Harley, pastor for Evergreen Presbyterian Church, hopes this event can be successful in Memphis.
“This will hopefully be a great time for folks that if they want to get rid of a gun, any sort of firearm, in their home in a safe and secure way and have it be transformed eventually by local artist into garden tools or art, this is a great way to do it,” said Harley.
The idea is to take unwanted guns, dismantle them and turn them into art pieces or garden tools.
“To me, there’s just something so powerful about turning in an unwanted gun and then those raw materials being turned into a garden tool,” said Harley.
The event is will be held at Presbyterian of the Mid-South, located at 449 Patterson St. Harley told FOX13 the process is fairly simple: Those who want to surrender their guns need to make sure they’re unloaded and placed in the trunk of their car.
“As they pull forward, someone – we call them shepherds – will walk with them in their vehicle slowly up to the first station where we will take the weapons from the back of the vehicle,” said Harley.
From there, the guns will be dismantled with the owner present. Afterwards, those who participated will receive a Kroger gift card.
You get $50 for turning in a handgun, $100 for a rifle, and $150 for an assault rifle. Harley hopes this can spark some much needed change in Memphis.
“I think it’s a way that hopefully can inspire us and kind of ignite our imaginations and our hearts to tackle the problem of violence, especially gun violence, locally in different ways,” said Harley.
Guns to Gardens is Saturday, Feb. 24, from noon until 4 p.m. Gun owners will remain anonymous.
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