UPDATE: Guns for Gift Cards Program in Murfreesboro TODAY (1/17/13)

Jan 16, 2013 at 09:23 pm by bryan


The Murfreesboro Police Department is partnering with the Murfreesboro NAACP and Central Christian Church in an effort to get guns off the street on Thursday (1/17/13). According to a press release WGNS received, the goal is to get unsafe, unwanted and unused firearms out of the City’s neighborhoods and away from young hands.

We talked to Police Sgt. Kyle Evans about the event and he told us that no questions would be asked of those turning in the guns and no names would be recorded. He did say that the serial numbers on the guns would be researched or investigated after the guns are turned in. To research the serial number, police will run the guns identity code through the National Crime Information Center database.

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As of 2:30 pm, 7 guns were collected on Thursday. Below is a picture of 5 of those 7

The release said that officers certified in firearms will be on hand to receive the guns, ensure that they are unloaded, and do not pose any immediate danger. The weapons will then be turned over to an evidence technician from the police department’s property room.

Anyone who brings a gun in will receive a gift card to Kroger. The Gift Cards for Guns initiative will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Thursday – 1/17/13) in the parking lot of the Central Christian Church at 404 East Main Street.

Interesting note:

On a side note, some people stated that gun thefts would likely increase the days prior to the initiative so that thieves could obtain a gift card. WGNS studied the police reports from January 11th through the 16th and can confirm that there was not an increase in gun thefts in Murfreesboro. 

More on this Story (Entire Press Release Below):

The Murfreesboro Police Department is partnering with the Murfreesboro NAACP and Central Christian Church in an effort this winter to get unsafe, unwanted and unused firearms out of the City’s neighborhoods and away from young hands.
 
Chief of Police Glenn Chrisman, Murfreesboro NAACP outgoing President Goldy Wade, Murfreesboro NAACP incoming President Kenny Williams, and Pastor Steve Odom announced today the Gift Cards for Guns initiative will take place on Thursday, January 17, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Central Christian Church at 404 East Main Street. 
 
Murfreesboro residents will be able to safely exchange real firearms for Kroger gift cards with no questions asked. BB guns, pellet guns, paintball guns and toy guns will be accepted but are not eligible for a gift card exchange.
 
Chief of Police Glenn Chrisman stated: “All of the partners in this initiative want to make the safety of our community a top priority in 2013. Murfreesboro parents, grandparents, and other citizens who know of firearms in poor working condition or are of significant risk of falling into the wrong hands, are invited to turn them in safely on January 17. We will gladly exchange them for a Kroger gift card which may be used to buy groceries or gasoline.”
 
Officers certified in firearms and community relations officers will be on hand to receive the guns, ensure that they are unloaded, and do not pose any immediate danger. The weapons will then be turned over to an evidence technician from the department’s property room.
 
Outgoing Murfreesboro NAACP President Goldy Wade stated: “We have worked diligently with MPD to reduce gun violence in our neighborhoods. This program is a great way to reduce the chance of a firearm falling into the hands of a criminal.”
 
NAACP incoming President Kenny Williams has seen first-hand the heartache caused by gun violence. “Any gun that we stop from falling into the wrong hands will make this program worthwhile,” Kenny stated. “We look forward to making Murfreesboro safer on January 17.”

NAACP Breakfast:

On a side note, the annual NAACP Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast is nearing. The annual breakfast entitled “Unity that Binds a Community,” will be held on Saturday, January 19th. The keynote speaker is Bishop Christopher A. Johnson from Zion Christian Ministries.

 

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