Gun Violence Awareness Community
The gun violence crisis in America has hit a critical level. More than 45,700 people in the United States die as a result of firearms every year. In South Carolina that number is just shy of 1,100. Nationwide, children die more often because of firearms than any other reason.
Here in Providence Presbytery the recently created the Gun Violence Awareness Community will partner with like minded organizations working to end gun violence to amplify – not replicate – the good work they are doing.
More than
45,738
firearm deaths in the US annually.
On average
1,081
die because of firearms in SC annually.
SC has the
12th
highest rate of gun deaths in the nation.
source: Everytown.org
The Presbyterian Church USA has a decades long history of speaking out against gun violence through policy and action. As recently as 2022 the General Assembly reaffirmed this by creating the Decade to End Gun Violence initiative with the aim at reducing gun violence, and therefore saving lives, across our nation.
In 2024, the PC(USA) General Assembly approved an overture calling for action so that children may live free from gun violence. It also commended and recommended the Guns to Garden movement.
COMING SOON: Guns to Gardens Fire Arm Safe Surrender Event
The Gun Violence Awareness Community is excited to announce its first ever firearm safe surrender event. Members of the community who possess firearms they no longer want are invited to participate in this anonymous and safe event on Saturday, May 3rd from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church (2955 W. Hwy 160, Fort Mill, SC 29708).
Based on Isaiah 2:4, the event allows community members to safely and anonymously turn in unwanted firearms to be destroyed and receive a gift card for participating. The remaining metal will be donated and repurposed into garden tools and other works of art by the team at RAWtools South.
Guns to Gardens is happening in partnership with the York County Mental Health Taskforce, which includes organizations like NAMI, the VA, Catawba Nation, and BeSmart for Kids.
This page will be where folks can signup to volunteer for our event, download flyers to share with others and find more information on the history of the Guns to Gardens movement.
Questions can be sent to katie@providencepres.org.
Make a Donation!
This event won't be possible without generous donations. There are two ways to support our event:
- Physical donations: $25 gift cards to Harris Teeter, Food Lion or Aldi can be dropped off at the church
- Online donations: Click the button below to make a tax deductible donation. Select "Guns 2 Gardens" as the fund in the drop down box so the donation goes to the right place.
Partners & Resources:
Click each logo to learn more.
