OUR STORY
Who we are. |
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Photo by Soni Castleberry
Photo by Soni Castleberry
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About Us
Guns to Gardens Louisville is an interfaith group seeking ways to address the growing problem of gun violence. The name Guns to Gardens reflects our goal of moving our community from a gun culture to a life-giving culture, through activities that nurture peace and growth instead of violence. Guns to Gardens Louisville is part of a growing movement, launched in cooperation with RAWtools and Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, that offers gun safe-disposal opportunities in more than a dozen states. Our events give people a way to get rid of unwanted guns safely and anonymously. The guns are dismantled by chop saws and turned into gardening tools, art, and jewelry. Other projects of Guns to Gardens Louisville include community book discussions, screening of films about gun violence, and advocacy and educational opportunities to increase gun safety and prevent gun violence. |
Our History
Guns to Gardens Louisville grew out of a youth/adult Sunday school class at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church. In 2018, a group of church members and others began meeting monthly as the Gun Violence Prevention Team.
The group has since expanded to an interfaith focus, including about 50 volunteers from 12 houses of worship—other Presbyterian, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, and Methodist churches; a Unitarian Universalist congregation; and two synagogues.
Our Success Stories
Gun safe-disposal events in Louisville:
Our Partners
How You Can Help
You can help in multiple ways! Visit our events page to learn about our safe-disposal events. You can also contact us if you're interested in getting involved in other ways.
You can also donate to help us create successful safe-disposal events, spread the word, and grow our community. As a 501(c3) organization, donations are tax deductible. Please mail checks to:
Guns to Gardens Louisville, Inc.
C/O Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church
142 Crescent Ave.
Louisville, KY 40206
Guns to Gardens Louisville grew out of a youth/adult Sunday school class at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church. In 2018, a group of church members and others began meeting monthly as the Gun Violence Prevention Team.
The group has since expanded to an interfaith focus, including about 50 volunteers from 12 houses of worship—other Presbyterian, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, and Methodist churches; a Unitarian Universalist congregation; and two synagogues.
Our Success Stories
Gun safe-disposal events in Louisville:
- November 2025 at Lynnhurst United Church of Christ – 18 guns collected
- December 2022 at Douglass Blvd. Christian Church – 28 guns collected
- June 2023 at Douglass Blvd. Christian Church – 20 guns collected
- November 2023 at Westwood Presbyterian Church – 5 guns collected, including our first assault rifle
- June 2024 at Church of the Promise/The Table and Falls Art Foundry – 21 guns collected
- November 2024 at Grace Hope Presbyterian Church – 14 guns collected
- June 2025 at All Peoples Unitarian Church – 18 guns collected
Our Partners
- Louisville blacksmith Craig Kaviar of Kaviar Forge transforms pieces of the disabled guns into garden tools, art, and jewelry.
- Matthew Karr, of Karr Custom Furniture, creates art and household items out of the wooden parts of disabled guns.
- Owsley Brown II Family Foundation donated funds for Kroger cards to give to each person surrendering one or more weapons.
How You Can Help
You can help in multiple ways! Visit our events page to learn about our safe-disposal events. You can also contact us if you're interested in getting involved in other ways.
You can also donate to help us create successful safe-disposal events, spread the word, and grow our community. As a 501(c3) organization, donations are tax deductible. Please mail checks to:
Guns to Gardens Louisville, Inc.
C/O Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church
142 Crescent Ave.
Louisville, KY 40206