Guns to Gardens is now in Iowa

First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City hosted Iowa’s first Guns to Gardens event. The drive thru event was supported by volunteers from FPC and Johnson County Moms Demand Action.

Guns to Gardens is a grassroots partnership between the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and RAWtools, Inc., a blacksmith group. Guns to Gardens events provide a space for gun owners to safely surrender their firearms for destruction. The firearms are cut so no parts can be recirculated for use. The pieces are then used by RAWtools, Inc. to create gardening tools and works of art. Quite literally, we are turning swords into plowshares, as referenced in the Book of Isaiah. As a thank you for participating, gun owners are provided with a grocery store gift card.

Some gun owners shared they no longer needed the firearm or they are worried that children will find it, as reasons for wanting to destroy their firearm. All liked the convenience and peace of mind knowing the firearm will no longer be in circulation. In total, fifteen firearms were destroyed.

Thank you to Pastor Nathan Willard and to John Barr, Chair of the Reconciliation Ministry at FPC for their support. We are grateful to the Johnson County Interfaith Coalition for awarding us with a Faith In Action grant.

Cari Everhart and Temple Hiatt

Iowa City