A groceries-for-guns exchange is set for Saturday in Detroit. People who turn in an unloaded gun will get a $50 grocery gift card.
Gerald Acker is a partner in the Southfield law firm Goodman Acker, which is sponsoring the event. He says they want to do something about gun violence."It's enough. Last week 26 people were shot, 5 killed, in the city of Detroit. And it's not acceptable and no one should just stand by and watch it happen," Acker says.
This week, 13 people in Detroit were shot in one 24-hour period.
Acker says it's a no-questions-asked exchange for the guns.
"They get to walk up with an unloaded weapon, they get a gift card, and they're out the door, no questions asked. We won't ask their name, telephone number. We're going to get the gun and they're going to get the $50 Meijer gift card, and they'll be on their way," Acker says, adding they have 300 gift cards available.
He says the exchange is an opportunity for people who live with violence in their family to remove a weapon. "Or if they just don't feel comfortable having a gun, we're providing an opportunity to get rid of it safely.
"This is to remind folks that if you've got a gun in your house, secure it. Make sure teens don't have access. And we want to remind public leaders that we have to do more, and they have to lead. It's not acceptable to do the same thing day in and day out and expect a different result," Acker says.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the New St. Paul Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Detroit.
Acker says the exchange will be staffed by sheriff's deputies and church volunteers.
