Gun Safe Surrender Event

Saturday, June 27
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Parking Lot, First Baptist Church of Asheville
5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801

 

 

Turn Unwanted Guns into Garden Tools

First Baptist Church of Asheville, in partnership with Asheville Friends Meeting, Beloved Asheville, Circle of Mercy Congregation, Deep Time, First Congregational UCC, Haywood Street Congregation, Hood Huggers International, House of Mercy, Land of the Sky UCC, and St. John’s Episcopal Church, will host a Gun Safe Surrender Event.

Community members are invited to bring unwanted, unloaded firearms to be safely dismantled and later transformed into garden tools through the nonpartisan Guns to Gardens movement. This initiative works to reduce gun violence by removing unwanted guns from homes and communities and repurposing them for good.

How It Works
  • This is a drive-through event.
    Place unloaded firearms in the trunk, back seat, or rear of your vehicle.
    Remain in your vehicle while trained personnel remove the firearm.
    Skilled volunteers will dismantle each gun on-site using power tools, following federal safety guidelines.
    There is no transfer of ownership—you remain present during the dismantling process.
    Once dismantled, the firearm is no longer legally considered a gun.
    You may choose to donate the remaining materials to be forged into garden tools.
Important:
  • Guns must be unloaded.
  • No ammunition will be accepted.
  • Participation is anonymous.
Gift Cards

While this is not a traditional buyback event, thank-you gift cards will be offered for working firearms (while supplies last):

  • $50–$200 depending on the firearm
  • Maximum of $300 per vehicle
Why This Matters

With over 434 million firearms in the United States, many are no longer wanted due to life changes such as aging, family safety concerns, or loss. Guns to Gardens provides a safe, responsible way to dispose of these weapons without returning them to circulation.

Each year, more than 48,000 Americans die from gun-related incidents, with approximately 60% attributed to suicide. Reducing access to unused firearms can help prevent tragedies.

Evening Community Gathering

Following the event, all are welcome to gather for reflection and community:

  • 5:00 p.m. – Vigil for Healing
  • 6:00 p.m. – Community Meal & Celebration
  • Location: Trinity United Methodist Church: 587 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC

More Information

For questions, contact:
Stan Wilson — stan@rawtoolssouth.org

Donations are welcome. You may also request that an acknowledgment message be sent in honor of someone meaningful to you.