A sword to plow what a blacksmith works in a forge. Photo courtesy of Jim Curry.
An Episcopal Bishop will melt down guns at Grace Episcopal Church this Saturday, washing guns in decorations and gardens to raise awareness of gun violence.
Founded in 2017, Swords to Plowshares works with volunteer blacksmiths and local law enforcement officials to turn unwanted weapons into gardening tools, identification tools and jewelry, the co -founder Jim Currie. This will be the team's first event in Maine.
"I think we're constantly reminded that we need to treat gun violence as a public health issue," the Reverend said. Pam Mott, pastor of Grace Church. "It's one of those tangible things; turning something that could once be destroyed into something that helps create and grow.
Knives are made from pellet guns. Photo provided by Jim Curry
Carrie The play is built around a scenario: “ They transformed their swords into plowshares and their spears into billhooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation; They will no longer be trained for war" (Isaiah 2:4).
The decision to launch Curry Swords to Plowshares isn't just due to the growing gun problem in the United States; He was private. In 2012, while serving as a bishop in Connecticut, two local boys were killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting.
"We don't have to deal with the violence around us. We can deal with it," Curry said. I can leave my gun or I can keep it safe. "We have a choice to follow the ancient prophecies," he said.
According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 45,000 people are killed each year in the United States by firearms. The CDC also reported a 35% increase in firearm-related homicides in 2018. It reported that the suicide rate between 2019 and 2020 is on the rise.
As the Swords to Plowshares website puts it, "Our strategy for solving this problem is to turn weapons of death into weapons of life and use those weapons for the benefit of society, while reducing senseless gun deaths. ".
Curry said the materials used to make gardening tools come from "purchasing" or "one-day picking" when local residents dispose of unwanted guns and ammunition for local police.
According to mainegunsafety.org/, the last redemption date in Maine was June 11.
Saturday's event isn't a gun throwback day, but rather an interactive mockup using the weapons gear Curry brought with him. He said everyone will have the opportunity to create their own heart-shaped pendant from a gun barrel.
Hunting barrel necklace. Photo provided by Jim Curry
Curry traveled the East Coast working as a blacksmith. He said working with people who have lost someone to gun violence is empowering.
"It gives people a chance to cry, but it gives them the strength to take it."
The event will take place at Grace Church, 1100 Washington St., in the bathroom on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.
For more information on Swords for Plowshares Northeast, visit s2pnortheast.org/
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