Local artists will transform guns into art through a gun surrender event hosted by the Marion County Youth Violence Prevention Coalition. People looking to dispose of unwanted firearms can exchange them for a gas gift card from 1-4 p.m. May 25 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
Rebecca McCracken, coalition coordinator of the Marion County Youth Violence Prevention Coalition, said the event is an opportunity for people to dispose of guns without risk of them returning to the marketplace.
For the event, gun owners are asked to place unloaded firearms in the trunk, bed or rear of their vehicle. The unwanted firearms will be dismantled on site by trained volunteers who will use power tools to cut the guns according to guidelines from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Artists from the Harrison Center for the Arts will then use those pieces to create artwork. McCracken said some pieces also will be given to Indy Peace Fellows, who have been working with the Indianapolis Arts Council.
“We’d also like to be able to provide some for them to also do something that is more life-giving than the original intent of the firearm,” McCracken said.
The coalition said the event is a response to the high level of gun violence in the city, including through suicide and unintentional shootings.
“One of the problems is like, some people really don’t want to have a gun anymore,” McCracken said. “And it’s hard to get rid of, harder than it is to get, it seems like.”
The event enables participants to remain anonymous, but they will be asked to verbally confirm the gun has not been stolen or used in a crime. Guns without a serial number will not be accepted.
Lockboxes also will be given to people who have additional firearms at home.
“A lot of times even if someone is turning in a firearm, they likely have more firearms at home,” McCracken said. “And so we want to also encourage that conversation about secure storage of firearms.”
Gas card amounts are dependent on the type of firearm surrendered:
- $25 for a non-functioning firearm
- $100 for a shotgun or rifle
- $150 for a revolver or handgun
- $200 for a semi-automatic rifle
Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian.
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