A church in Alabama has begun buying guns from owners for $50 a piece; the idea is that the more guns they collect, the fewer will be on the street.
Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church sparked the campaign after there were several shootings in the area. One shooting killed 18-year-old Ashia Raquel Oliver, the daugher of a church member member.
In response, the congregation donated money for the gun purchase campaign. Union Chapel reports collecting a shotgun and a few automatics so far. The church hands in the weapons to police to make sure they are not stolen or have been used in crime; then they are given to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Rev. Dr. Wendell O. Davis of Union Chapel said, "I know we're not even scratching the surface in terms of getting guns off the street. But if one life is saved as a result, then it will be worth it."
Publication date: July 7, 2014
