In 2018, EMERGE leadership was introduced to Swords to Plowshares at a community event, and we immediately saw the synergy of our two missions. At EMERGE, part of our philosophy is to create a space for crew members to process and come to a peace with traumatic experiences collectively and individually. Bishop Curry recognized the symbolism and cathartic potential of physically turning guns into garden tools, and we began to explore a partnership. 

In 2019, we began the forging process. A little over a year later, over 20 EMERGE crew members have learned to use a forge, and over 100 tools have been created. I’m eager to see where this project leads, and am so appreciative to be involved!

“Swords to Plowshares Northeast inspired me to hold the first gun buyback and safety event in my community of Hamden, CT. I went to a Swords to Plowshares demonstration and was struck by the spiritual, symbolic, and practical aspects of transforming guns into garden tools through blacksmithing. Making our community and homes a safer place by offering a secure way to dispose of unwanted guns became a priority. I was alarmed to learn that more Americans die each year from guns than from traffic accidents, and that suicides make up two-thirds of all gun deaths. In the name of public safety and prevention, we collected many guns that day, and handed out car safes and gun locks. Swords to Plowshares Northeast was there during the event to demonstrate to all people coming in and out what they do with the turned-in guns. I am so grateful that the guns collected are being transformed into gardening tools and used in a local community garden that grows vegetables for a food pantry. Through the heat and pressure applied by Swords to Plowshares Northeast, these former instruments of destruction now help to bring forth and sustain life.”

“Swords to Plowshares Northeast, Adam Sendroff, and Pina Violano spearheaded the Hamden Police Department to hold our first gun buyback and safety event here in Hamden, CT. I was able to observe a Swords to Plowshares demonstration and was impressed by the transformation of guns into garden tools through blacksmithing. I was educated to learn that suicides make up two-thirds of all gun deaths. We were pleasantly surprised to collect the number of guns the day of our event. We also handed out car safes and gun locks to the participants of the event. Swords to Plowshares Northeast was present at the Hamden Police Department throughout the entirety of the event to demonstrate to everyone involved that day what they do with the turned-in guns. Swords to Plowshares Northeast transforming the guns into gardening tools that can then be used to produce food for those in need makes the hard work put into the event worth it. On top of that, it makes our community a safer place.

Thanks again, and we are looking forward to our next gun buyback event.” .

I first heard about the Guns Into Gardening Tools initiative at a fundraiser.  I was struck by the power of the symbolism of their work: the transformation of tools of death into tools of life! As a Quaker, I support many initiatives that are non-violent and life-affirming, but Swords to Plowshares really stuck in my mind. In 2019, our Quaker Meeting in Wilton, CT decided to organize a gun buyback for the city of Norwalk. I thought of Swords to Plowshares as the perfect complement to this effort. 

We partnered with Steve Yanovsky and Rev. Jim Curry, and we had a very successful initiative, buying back 42 weapons including 2 assault weapons. They did demonstrations with the forge before and during the event, which helped us immensely with publicity and fundraising. Most importantly, we prevented all those weapons from ever being used again.  This most modern version of  “Swords to Plowshares” is an amazing project and I look forward to working with them again!