TULSA, Okla. — A team of blacksmiths, all of whom were military veterans, broke down guns that will soon be turned into garden tools.
The Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry said Tulsa’s very first “Guns to Garden Tools” event was a success.
They said people dropped off 57 guns, including one AR-styled rifle, at a shopping center near Admiral and Memorial. Thirty-five volunteers also helped the blacksmiths.
The process was anonymous, with no questions asked. People could exchange handguns for a $150 gift card or long rifles for a $250 gift card.
The event also promoted safe storage of firearms and gave away free locks to gun owners.
Reverend Twila Gibbens said the event provided a safe way to get unneeded and possibly illegal guns off the street.
“People have inherited guns sometimes, and they just don’t want to sell them or get them back on the street. Sometimes the gun has been the source of violence in the home,” she said.
One of the blacksmiths, Army Veteran Ragnar Crowson, said the event was also healing.
“If I knew that my brother, my father, or mother or someone who killed themselves with a firearm, I wouldn’t want to keep it, and I wouldn’t want anyone else to have it either,” he said.
Crowson said he’s not yet sure what type or how many garden tools they’ll be able to make.
“Probably some cultivators, some weeders, maybe a spade or two it depends on how much metal we have to work with,” Crowson said.
Organizers said a total of two protestors showed up, but didn’t cause any problems.
The event was part of a national program and organizers hope to have another one in the spring.
©2022 Cox Media Group