Resources

Guns to Gardens: National Buyback Day

Saturday, June 11th 2022

Guns to Gardens: National Buyback Day is a movement among faith-based gun violence prevention organizations across the country to intervene in gun violence. Saturday, June 11th, 2022 is the first iteration of what we hope will be an annual event that seeks to promote public safety and confidence by hosting gun buybacks, and to inspire alternatives to violence and a life-giving response through the transformation of those guns into gardening tools and similar items.

The Church of the Epiphany (Episcopal) has volunteered to host a buyback and guns to gardens program on Saturday, June 11^th, 2022.

Gun buybacks promote public safety by giving individuals and family members the opportunity safely to dispose of unwanted and/or unsecured guns to help reduce the risk of homicides, suicides, unintentional shootings, domestic violence, and keep guns from getting into the wrong hands - such as children, individuals who may be facing a mental health crisis, individuals living with dementia, perpetrators of domestic violence, and criminals. Gun buyback events are just one part of a multifaceted approach to end the gun violence public health crisis in our nation. These events help to elevate the conversation on the dangers of having a gun in the home and in our communities and promote safe storage practices. A gun buyback is 100% voluntary, and it has nothing to do with stopping people from acquiring, owning, or using guns.

The transformation of guns into gardening tools is another step in interrupting violence through the promotion of life-giving, community-building action. It is a visible way of living into the words of the prophets: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks… they shall sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees” (Micah 4:3,4). The forge will be fired up on June 11^th, and will be touring community gardens and other nurturing spaces throughout the summer.

In the name of our living, loving, life-giving God, we invite you to join us.

For more information or to volunteer assistance, contact the Revd Rosalind C Hughes, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 216 731 1316

Also visit www.gunstogardens.org

ATTENDING THE GUN BUYBACK

Please make sure that your gun is fully unloaded, and transport in the trunk of your car where possible to allow for non-contact, anonymous handover. At the site, your gun will be recovered and made safe, and you will pull forward to receive a gift card. Chaplains are available for prayer requests. The buyback runs from 11am through 1pm in the E211th St/Lakeshore parking lot.