Unwanted guns turned into garden implements Saturday

Unwanted firearms will be turned into scrap metal, artwork or even garden tools at the second annual “Guns to Gardens” event at the Concord Wesley United Methodist Church.

The event will take place Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church at 79 Clinton St. Any type of unloaded firearm is acceptable.

“This is a great opportunity for Granite Staters who want to remove unwanted firearms from their homes without putting them back out on the market,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH.

Last year’s NH Guns to Gardens program collected 31 unwanted firearms, including an AR-15, organizers say. They generated garden tools, wooden bowls and jewelry, some created by NH League of Craftsmen artisans.

To participate, interested community members should bring unloaded firearms in the rear of their vehicle and remain in the vehicle. Guns will be removed from vehicles by a volunteer and delivered to the chop saw operator, who will disable the firearm. The identity of those relinquishing firearms can remain anonymous.

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Under state law, police can’t destroy firearms that have been surrendered or seized but must either store them, use them, or sell them on the open market.

For more information, search for NH Guns to Gardens.

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