Guns to Gardens event turns unwanted firearms into tools
By Alan Shope
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STILWELL, Kansas (KMBC) — Sparks flew and hammers rang out Saturday as volunteers at Stilwell United Methodist Church worked to turn unwanted firearms into something new.
The first “Guns to Gardens” effort in Johnson County gave people a chance to safely dispose of weapons they no longer want, while transforming them into everyday tools.
“Anybody who’s inherited a weapon, no longer needs a weapon or wants their weapon, they can show up and have it disposed of safely and cleanly,” said Jeff LeBlanc with the firearms safety team.
Volunteers first checked each weapon to make sure it was unloaded and safe.
From there, the process became more complex, carefully taking each gun apart piece by piece.
“We have more weapons than there are people in this country, so getting the guns off the streets when they’re no longer needed is one less risk out there,” LeBlanc said.
Once dismantled, volunteers made precise cuts required to render the firearms unusable.
“Specific cuts we have to make in each weapon to make it unusable,” he said.
Those donating firearms could remain anonymous, but many chose to stay and watch the entire process, from intake to destruction.
Organizers say they hope to hold more events like this throughout the year.
Pieces of the destroyed guns are turned into items like garden tools and bottle openers.
“The idea is that these weapons of death and destruction are matched by an effort to unmake them and transform them into tools that will help provide and sustain life,” said Phil Woodson, pastor of the church.
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