Via gun buyback program, Detroit parishes aim to get weapons off streets

DETROIT — Catholic parishes in Detroit are hoping to make a real difference in public safety in the crime-ridden city through an initiative spearheaded by Auxiliary Bishop Donald Hanchon.

In a city where gun-related violence is an everyday occurrence, the initiative, called Safety in the City, will begin with an effort to get as many guns off the streets as possible.

To launch the initiative, two firearm disarmament events are planned for this spring and summer at which people can turn in guns and receive a small payment — no questions asked.

“Night after night, we see news reports of another senseless act of violence,” said Bishop Hanchon, who oversees the archdiocese’s Central Region and is leading the effort along with the vicars of the Genesis, Renaissance, Southwest and Trinity vicariates and a small planning committee.

Firearm disarmament programs not only collect guns that might otherwise become involved in accidental shootings, but also can collect many “hot” weapons that have been involved in crimes and could otherwise be used in criminal activity again, Bishop Hanchon said.

The first of the gun turn-in events in cooperation with the Detroit Police is to take place June 19 at St. Matthew Parish, 6021 Whittier at Harper on Detroit’s east side, Bishop Hanchon said.

But contingent on the effort is whether enough funds can be raised for the payments to those turning in weapons.

A second gun turn-in is slated for Aug. 14 at St. Cecilia Parish, 10400 Stoepel at Livernois on the city’s west side. Both events would be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The guns collected will be decommissioned and destroyed.

In a letter May 31 announcing the initiative, Bishop Hanchon acknowledged that many city parishes are already involved in various efforts to address the city’s problems.

But the Safety in the City initiative will try to intensify those efforts, he said.

“Our goal is to invigorate the Catholic members of our Central Region. We aim to change the culture of violence, disregard for others and selfishness, and change what appears to be hopelessness to hopefulness.

“In the concrete, we aim to reduce the marginalization and dehumanizing of the poor, to reduce violent crime and murder that have become like a plague by taking action,” he wrote.

Bishop Hanchon said the June disarmament event will take place only if enough money — in the range of $20,000 to $30,000 — is raised by that time. Altogether, the goal is to raise between $50,000 and $60,000.

To fund the program, a second collection was taken at churches in the Central Region of the Archdiocese of Detroit the weekends of June 2-3 and 9-10.

Bishop Hanchon said the events at the two parishes will also offer information on recreation, literacy and job programs, as well as counseling and other services available through Church-related organizations and agencies.