Truth and Life Community Church Hamilton and Street Rescue have teamed up to collect unwanted firearms, weapons, and ammunition in the Hamilton area in a joint effort to reduce gun violence on Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gun Turn-in
According to Local 12, Cincinnati's Street Rescue is a non-profit organization that has arranged multiple occasions for people to turn in their guns.
Their efforts have resulted in the removal of over 100 firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition from the community.
With this initiative, anyone can hand over a firearm they do not want without revealing their identity and without being asked any questions.
Additionally, there is a call for individuals to surrender communal firearms that are concealed in residential areas and utilized in criminal activities.
Shaquila Mathews, the pastor of Truth and Life Community Church, has a personal connection to this campaign as her brother was murdered, and the perpetrator has not been identified.
The church has collaborated with Street Rescue for four years, and Mathews believes that people surrender weapons for various reasons.
He cited an example of a grandfather who brought his weapons to the event because his grandson was getting into trouble and stealing them from him.
Another instance involved a mother who left a gun with the organization after her boyfriend was arrested for domestic violence, and she was concerned about the safety of her small children in the house.
According to Matthews, these situations highlight the potential risks associated with keeping firearms in households and the need for proper disposal of them.
He also stated that more than twelve firearms were surrendered at the previous year's Street Rescue event in Hamilton.
Those who turn in an unwanted firearm receive a gift card as a token of appreciation.
Mathews also noted that Street Rescue sells the surrendered weapons and uses the proceeds to buy gift cards and gun locks and provide firearms safety training.
With the recent rise in gun-related crimes in the city, the community has come together to find ways to take action and make a difference.
Executive Order on Gun Control
According to WCPO, Mathews is also in favor of President Joe Biden's executive order on gun control.
He believes the order is intended to ensure that firearms are not easily accessible to individuals who should not possess them.
Mathews clarified that the order targets irresponsible gun owners, and those who handle firearms safely and responsibly are not affected.
With this, he expressed optimism that the order would help to reduce the number of homicides.
According to CBS News, the executive order requires the attorney general to take measures to enhance background checks, such as targeting gun dealers who fail to conduct them as required.
The aim is to achieve a level of background checks that are as close to universal as possible without requiring new legislation.
The order also instructs federal agencies to increase public awareness and promote the use of "red-flag" laws.
The attorney general is directed to provide more information about federally licensed firearms dealers who violate the law.
Additionally, the order requires the Pentagon to develop and implement guidelines to improve firearm and public safety practices in the Department of Defense's procurement of firearms.
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