Camden trades ‘goods for guns’

Camden residents headed to five churches Wednesday to turn in dozens of weapons in exchange for $100 Pathmark gift cards.

Mayor Dana Redd said residents brought in a variety of firearms to the “Goods for Guns” initiative events.

“We’ve had rifles turned in, automatic weapons, 38s, 22s,” she said.

Redd said the “Goods for Guns” initiative aims to curb the number of weapons in the city. She said the drop-off locations are a significant part of the program’s success.

“Going and walking into a church is not threatening,” she said. “I think the community feels safe walking into a church.”

Redd stressed that no questions will be asked of anyone who turns in a gun.

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams held a similar gun turn-in event in Southwest Philadelphia earlier this month. That effort brought in nearly 300 guns in exchange for grocery store gift cards. Williams said he can’t take all the credit for the success.

“I think it’s the times in which we live. Unfortunately, we have a large population that needs food,” he said. “We have a lot of people who are supporting children who are starving.”