The Guns to Gardens gun buyback event on June 11 was a huge success. The innovative gun buy back featured a unique element where all the firearms surrendered would ultimately be forged into garden tools by Oakland based blacksmith John Rogers.
Participants lined up for hours to surrender firearms in exchange garden tools forged from guns and gift cards in the amounts of $100-$300. Participants surrendered firearms ranging from compact pistols to a “Tommy Gun” or submachine gun. Dozens of shotguns and rifles were surrendered as well. One participant surrendered over 20 firearms which included high-powered rifles, a Desert Eagle pistol, and an AK-47. In total, 131 firearms were surrendered and over $10,000 in gift cards were given away.
In the words of FIAEB Leader Paula Hawthorn (top photo, center): “The success of this day was greatly due to Faith in Action East Bay. Pastor Dixon, a very active member of FIAEB and the Ceasefire team, was a strong supporter from the beginning of the planning through the closing of the gates at the end of a long day–and the lunch provided by Dixon’s Soul Food was not only delicious, it was a time of fellowship for the 24 volunteers. Patty Hall was another key member of the planning team, and also there for a very long day. The importance of getting the guns out of the house, was voiced by many of the people turning in guns: they were so happy to have the guns out of the house so they did not need to worry about them getting stolen and used to harm someone, or someone accidentally getting hurt by that gun. This is service to the community, it was appreciated by many people, and we will do it again!”