The sound of a hammer striking hot metal echoes across a church parking lot as something remarkable unfolds—a deadly weapon transforms into a tool for growing food. This is the Guns to Gardens movement, and in this powerful conversation with volunteer Dave Creel, we explore how unwanted firearms become symbols of peace and new life.
Dave walks us through the practical mechanics of these community events, where safety officers dismantle guns according to ATF guidelines before blacksmiths and woodworkers transform the components into garden trowels, spades, and works of art. The symbolism is profound—objects designed for destruction becoming instruments of cultivation. "From things that take life to things that cultivate life," as Dave beautifully puts it.
What makes this conversation particularly compelling are the personal stories. Dave shares how the Uvalde school shooting, coming just after his child's birth, propelled him into action. He reflects on his lifelong proximity to gun violence—from a middle school friend who nearly took his life with his father's gun to hearing a hundred rounds fired at his neighborhood park where his children play. These aren't isolated incidents; they reflect an American reality where firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens, and a surprisingly high number of us personally know someone who's been shot.
The Guns to Gardens movement offers more than symbolic transformation—it provides practical solutions for people who inherit unwanted firearms or no longer wish to keep them. One woman brought five loaded guns to an event after her husband's passing, having no idea how to safely dispose of them. The events create space for people to share their stories of trauma and find healing through creative transformation.
Though the project has faced pushback from those who view it as politically charged, Dave emphasizes that their mission transcends politics. Inspired by the biblical image of beating swords into plowshares, volunteers approach their work as a tangible expression of faith and nonviolence. They're motivated not by political agendas but by a vision of communities freed from the fear that drives our relationship with guns.
Ready to transform objects of fear into symbols of hope in your community? Check out Raw Tools online to discover how you can get involved in this growing movement of creative peacemaking.
