Religion Roundup
Churches Get Gun Owners to Swap Weapons for Cash
Associated Press
October 13, 2008
NEW YORK - Go to church and bring your gun. That's what four Brooklyn pastors urged people to do as part of a New York City program to swap weapons for cash.
One of the pastors said he hoped the economic crisis would spur gun owners to go for the money.
Hundreds did. On Saturday, 427 guns were turned in at the four churches.
Under the program, anyone could anonymously hand in a gun or rifle, legal or illegal, and get a $200 bank card with no questions asked. The weapons are being recycled into clothes hangers.
While gun owners can turn their weapons over at police precincts for $100 anytime, the pastors said churches are seen as sanctuaries by those wary of authorities.
In July, a gun buyback program at six other Brooklyn churches took nearly 700 weapons off the streets.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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