TULSA, Okla. — Reverend Evan Taylor with Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries said the organization hosted a survivor ceremony for people who have lost friends and loved ones to suicide and gun violence.
“Almost 10 years ago now, I lost a friend to suicide. He took his life with a gun,” Rev. Taylor said.
They received 57 rifles and handguns at a buyback event, held in November, 2022.
“This is not an anti-gun event. We’re not trying take anyone’s guns away,” Rev. Taylor said.
Police officers were at the buyback checking serial numbers on guns before blacksmiths with Dawson Creative Workshop broke them down into parts.
Then in the fire of their forge, those parts were melted down to create tools of growth and healing.
As part of the ceremony, survivors got a chance to strike a melted barrel on an anvil with a hammer while speaking their loved one’s name.
“It’s kind of a surreal experience. I didn’t know what I was going to feel when I hit it. I just see a flash of his face, and conversations we had, and the friendship we shared, things we did together, and I miss him a lot,” Rev. Taylor said.
After striking the anvil, each survivor was given one of the garden tools created from the buyback, providing opportunities for closure and growth.
“I’m actually the godfather to his son, so there’s a good reason to reach out. I haven’t done that. So, I need to reach out to him, and see about getting this tool to them,” Rev. Taylor said.
Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries said they hope to hold future buybacks and survivor events.
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