Fayetteville pastor hopes to stop violence with gun buy-back program
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- A Fayetteville pastor is trying to help put an end to youth violence in the city. Reverend Mark Rowden of Second Missionary Baptist Church is offering gift cards to anyone who turns in their guns.
Gun violence in the city is an issue for Fayetteville resident Jonathan Croom - who just wants his 3-year-old son to grow up in a safe world.
"Just be able to walk down the street," Croom said, "and not worry about looking over your shoulder, or anything like that."
Tuesday night, a high school teenager was shot and wounded outside a house party. The alleged shooter, 17-year-old Anthony Thomas McSwain, is jailed under more than $500,000 bond.
Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West is coming down hard on young violent offenders.
"It's certainly disappointing that we have cases with young people in our community," said West. "Gun violence and that sort of thing. We are going to treat each of them seriously as they come into the program here in the district attorney's office."
Now, Reverend Rowden is hoping to reduce gun violence by organizing a weapons buy-back project. Fayetteville council member Larry Wright is helping with the program.
"Rev. Mark visualized that, you know, we need to get guns off the street," said Wright. "Pastor Rowden often says that one gun off the street could be a life saved."
In July at a stop the violence rally on the courthouse steps, Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock offered amnesty to anyone who turns in a weapon.
The buy-back program will be held Nov. 22 at the Second Baptist Church on Old Wilmington Road from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Weapons will be traded for gift cards in varying amounts depending on the weapon's condition. There will be no questions asked.
Wright hopes it sends a strong message.
"That we are tired of the shootings," said Wright. "We are tired of the killings, and we are tired of this wild, wild west type of mentality."
Wright says the buy-back project will be very similar to projects in Winston-Salem and Greensboro. Officers there collected hundreds of rifles and hand guns.
Some local residents like Sharon Connley question how effective the gun buy-back might be, however.
"Who is going to give them back?" she asked. "Not the criminals. You know, I mean if the criminals are not going to give them back, what's the point?"
Wright says it's a small step in reducing youth gun violence, and residents like Walonda Owens are all for it.
"Get guns off the street" she said. "Be safe for teenagers again to be able to walk, and involved in the community without being afraid someone is going to shoot them."
