Southern Maine’s “Guns to Garden Tools” Event a Huge Success

According to News Center Maine, Saturday's "Guns to Garden Tools" gun take back event resulted in over 130 firearms and more than 30,000 rounds of ammunition being collected.

The event was an opportunity for people with guns in their homes that they no longer want, to dispose of them safely. Hey, we have hazardous waste take back programs for paints and batteries, why not guns? It's better to safely dispose of them than have them hanging around the house with the potential of landing in the hands of a child or a criminal.

Brunswick, Gorham, Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Yarmouth and Wells police departments all participated.

"Guns to Garden Tools" isn't just a cute name for the event, it's what really happens! A company called Raw Tools will transform the unwanted guns into real, useful garden tools that will then be returned to Maine schools and gardens in the Greater Portland area.