FALMOUTH, Maine — Mainers all across the state took part in the Maine Gun Safety Coalition’s Gun Give Back program on Saturday, turning in hundreds of firearms.
Sixteen police stations worked with the coalition to collect unwanted guns and ammunition.
"Just another effort, another avenue to make Maine a safer place to live and work," Falmouth Police Chief John Kilbride said.
People at the Falmouth police station handed over their firearms and ammunition to dispose of safely and keep them out of the wrong hands.
"They will not be used in crimes, they will not be used to harm or threaten, they will not add to the twin crises of gun violence and suicide in the US," Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, said.
The coalition’s goal is to decrease gun violence and suicide that can result from unsecured weapons.
"Teen gun suicide in particular is an epidemic," Palmer said.
Palmer said about 50 percent of homes that have guns have unsecured weapons, which can be dangerous for teens and kids. The coalition offered free safety locks for guns to help with this, in addition to disposing of unwanted guns.
"It's very easy for them to access and find those weapons and for those to lead to disastrous results," she said.
Some think that destroying firearms isn’t the answer to solving this problem.
Laura Whitcomb, president of Gun Owners of Maine in a statement suggested organizations like Hold My Guns, which provides firearm storage during times of need, offers another avenue to prevent gun violence and suicide.
Whitcomb said people should be aware of their choices, "especially in the cases of antique firearms and those with historical importance, and know that if they do choose to remove their firearms from their homes, destruction is not the only answer."
Sculptor Joshua Reiman doesn’t consider it destruction. He works with Swedish nonprofit Humanium Metal, and will help melt and recycle the surrendered guns, turning them into products like art, jewelry, and pens.
It’s a job Reiman took on after being personally affected by easy access to weapons, losing his friends to suicide.
"One of my best friends in the world, his access to this weapon was way too easy. And he has mental health problems, and if he didn't have access to that gun, he might still be here today, and he might've gotten the help he needed," Reiman said.
If you missed the event and have a firearm or ammunition you would like to dispose of, police said you can call your local department and they will be able to take it for you.