Volunteers train for Kansas City ‘Guns to Gardens’ event

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Local church volunteers are working to get guns out of the wrong hands and use them for other purposes.

Guns to Gardens is a national initiative that started after the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in 2012. Members at Central Presbyterian Church in Hyde Park say gun violence in Kansas City is a major concern — and want to do something to feel safer .

“We live not too far from Troost, and when we first moved over there almost a year ago, we had a homicide,” volunteer Tara Ruggles said.

Ruggles attended a training session Monday and is concerned with gun violence in Kansas City. According to the Kansas City Police Department’s crime stats – there have been 113 homicides so far this year, only nine of those were done without a gun.

“I have two stepchildren and we have them during the summer, and my goal is to protect them, and I look at them as my own children. I’m so nervous of a stray bullet hitting them,” Ruggles said.

The Guns to Gardens initiative aims to make communities safer.

Trained volunteer groups across the country dismantle gun parts – and then turn them into garden tools and art projects.

Reverend Jenny Wells says the shooting at the end of the Chiefs Super Bowl parade and rally is one of the reasons they wanted to host their own event where people can surrender guns.

“That really inspired us to want to turn our thoughts and prayers, which is something that we often hear our community leaders say when tragedy happens, into courage and action,” Rev. Wells said.

People can dispose of their unwanted and unloaded guns by placing them in the trunk of their car – and bringing them to the church parking lot where trained volunteers will dismantle them.

The event is on October 12 ^th at the church. Those surrendering their guns will receive a gift card in exchange. If you’re interested in signing up for the event, email: churchoffice@centralpreskc.org.

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