Guns to Gardens
A Transformational Event for Unwanted Firearms
They shall beat their swords in plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Isaiah 2:4
What is Guns to gardens?
Guns to Gardens is an anonymous one-day safe surrender event where unwanted guns are dismantled to be transformed into garden tools. The event is a form of direct action to interevene in record levels of gun violence.
Will it Make a Difference?
In an average year, 2,273 people die and 2,697 are wounded by guns in Tennessee. Tennessee has the 9th-highest rate of gun violence in the U.S. Shelby County has the highest rate of firearms deaths, suicide deaths by firearms, and homicides by firearms in the state.
Every gun dismantled protects someone from shootings, whether intentional, accidental, or an act of suicide. Transforming guns into garden tools offers healing to persons and communities traumatized by gun violence. For churches to host and facilitate this process is to show that God is on the side of saving and healing lives.
By taking direct action to save lives now, we hope to inspire elected officials to find the courage to take steps to protect our city, state, and nation from gun violence.
Why Would Someone Surrender a Gun?
There are many reasons why gun owners want to surrender guns for dismantling.
an unwanted inheritance
remove access to family members with mental health issues
worry about having a gun in a household with children
aging gun owners who no longer feel they are able to safely handle a gun
remove from their home a gun that was used for violence to others or to themselves by a family member
Please sign up to volunteer by Thursday, February 15th
To donate, volunteer, or find out more, contact Patrick Harley at: patrick@evergreenmemphis.org
How Does it work?
Gun owners wishing to surrender unwanted firearms arrive on-site with their guns stowed securely in the trunk or rear of their vehicle.
No background checks are conducted and no personal information is collected. Unlike a “Buy Back” event, gun ownership is not transferred.
Guns must be free of ammunition.
Owners remain in their vehicles while their guns are being dismantled with a chop saw.
Owners are offered a “Thank You” gift card for their contribution to the movement.
Spiritual and mental health support are available on-site.
How to Get Involved
Evergreen Presbyterian Church is hosting this Guns to Gardens Safe Surrender Event as an affirmation of our commitment to reduce gun violence in Memphis and Shelby County.
You can support the work by:
donating funds to purchase
supplies and gift cards
volunteering for the event
helping us spread the word
