Gift Cards for Guns Event Set for Saturday, November 17th; Dollar General Partnering with MNPD
11/8/2012
November 8, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dollar General stores are partnering with the Metro police department,
Nashville’s clergy and Crime Stoppers to offer $25-dollar gift cards to
families who want to rid their homes of unsafe, unwanted or unused firearms.
Chief Steve Anderson today announced that a holiday season Gift Cards for Guns
initiative will be held on Saturday, November 17th, from 8
a.m. to 12 noon, in the parking lot of Tusculum Hills Baptist Church, 4930
Nolensville Pike. Davidson County citizens will be able to safely
exchange real firearms for $25 Dollar General gift cards, no questions asked
(limit of 1 gift card per person/2 per family). The gift cards
can be used at Dollar General stores to purchase any items, including
groceries, gifts and other holiday supplies.
“There is no better time than a week before Thanksgiving for parents,
grandparents and other family members to think about any firearms that are in
poor working condition or those at risk of falling into the wrong hands,
particularly unsupervised young people,” Chief Anderson said. “I applaud
Dollar General for joining with us to enhance Nashville’s safety, while, at the
same time, helping families with Thanksgiving meal preparations.”
?“Dollar
General is pleased to partner with the Metro Police department and Crime
Stoppers for this Gift Cards for Guns
initiative.” said Jeff Owen, Senior Vice-President, Store Operations.
"Through our mission of serving others, we strive to
make a difference in the communities we call home through programs such as this
initiative."
Nashville’s
clergy, including Pastor Wes Baldwin of Tusculum Hills Baptist Church,
understand the importance of this community outreach program. “If we prevent
even one gun from falling into the wrong hands and being used in an act of
violence, this program will have been more than worthwhile,” Baldwin said.
Board members from Nashville Crime Stoppers will staff a booth at the event to
distribute the gift cards and to answer questions from the community about its
29-year cash reward program for information on those who have committed major
crimes.
Officers from the MNPD Training Academy will be in the church parking lot on
November 17th to receive the guns, ensure that they are unloaded and
do not pose any immediate danger. The weapons will then be turned over to
an officer from the police department’s property room.
Also at the church from 8 a.m.-12 noon on November 17th will
be a special, secured drug collection box in which citizens can safely dispose
of outdated and/or unwanted medications.
Two Gift Cards for Guns events held during the past year were resounding
successes. Citizens turned in 156 firearms at an event on June 9th at
St. Luke Primitive Baptist Church. Last December, 90 guns were
surrendered during an event at Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church.
###