LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A coalition of Louisville faith and community groups concerned about gun violence is hosting an event this weekend that will allow people to safely dispose of unwanted firearms.
The gun safe-surrender event is scheduled for Sunday, May 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Grace Hope Presbyterian Church at 702 E. Breckinridge St. in the Smoketown neighborhood.
The event is part of the nationwide Guns to Gardens movement, an organization that works to reduce gun violence by collecting unwanted guns and transforming them into garden tools, art, jewelry and home decor. This work is done by local blacksmith Craig Kaviar and local woodworker Matthew Karr.
Organizers said participants can anonymously donate one or more unloaded firearms. Names will not be collected, although serial numbers will be used to track the donations.
Each person who turns in a gun will receive a $50 Kroger gift card.
People bringing firearms should place them into the trunk or rear of a car for skilled personnel to remove. Ammunition is not accepted.
Trained volunteers will then inspect the guns before cutting dismantling them to be sent to Karr and Kaviar. Organizers said donors will wait during this process, and there is no transfer of firearm ownership.
The event comes ahead of National Gun Violence Awareness Day June 5.
"We are concerned about the high level of gun violence in America and in our city, and the harm that is being done through deaths, injuries and accidents," said Rev. Angela Johnson of Grace Hope Presbyterian Church. "If you feel that it is no longer safe or desirable for you to have a gun in your home, this is a way to responsibly dispose of unwanted guns."
Visit the Guns to Gardens website for more information.
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