Evergreen Presbyterian Church Hosts 3rd Annual 'Guns to Gardens' Event

The church aims to reduce gun violence in Memphis through anonymous firearm surrender and transformation into gardening tools.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee is hosting its Third Annual 'Guns to Gardens' Safe Surrender event on February 28, 2026. During the event, gun owners can anonymously turn in their unwanted firearms, which will then be dismantled and transformed into garden tools. Over the past two years, the church has collected more than 130 unwanted guns through this initiative.

Why it matters

Gun violence remains a major issue in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee. The 'Guns to Gardens' event provides a safe and anonymous way for residents to get rid of unwanted firearms, helping to reduce the number of guns in circulation and potentially preventing them from being used in future crimes.

The details

The Third Annual 'Guns to Gardens' Safe Surrender event will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Presbyterian Church located at 561 South Prescott Street in Memphis. During the event, gun owners can anonymously turn in their unwanted firearms, which will then be dismantled and repurposed into gardening tools. The church has hosted this event for the past two years, collecting over 130 guns that have been transformed in this way.

  • The Third Annual 'Guns to Gardens' Safe Surrender event will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • The Evergreen Presbyterian Church has hosted this event for the past two years.

The players

Evergreen Presbyterian Church

A church in Memphis, Tennessee that has hosted the 'Guns to Gardens' Safe Surrender event for the past three years in an effort to reduce gun violence in the local community.

Reverend Patrick Harley

The pastor of Evergreen Presbyterian Church who says the previous two 'Guns to Gardens' events resulted in the surrender of more than 130 unwanted firearms.

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What they’re saying

“At the two previous events, more than 130 unwanted firearms were surrendered and dismantled.”

— Reverend Patrick Harley, Pastor, Evergreen Presbyterian Church (WMC Action News 5)

What’s next

The church plans to continue hosting the 'Guns to Gardens' Safe Surrender event annually as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence in the Memphis community.

The takeaway

The 'Guns to Gardens' initiative demonstrates how faith-based organizations can play a constructive role in addressing gun violence through community-driven programs that provide safe and anonymous ways for residents to dispose of unwanted firearms.