ROCKLAND — Would anyone bring guns to the Rockland Police Station to be disposed of during an organized public collection event even if it was promoted as a safe, anonymous, no questions-asked platform?

State Senator Pinny Beebe-Center, D-Rockland, and Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, volunteered their time at the Rockland PD, June 1, 2024. With them were Laura Edwards, a volunteer for the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, and Officer Troy Peasley, of the Rockland Police Dept. Being the first year that Rockland PD has participated in Gun Giveback Day, the group of four arrived at 10 a.m. with an understanding that maybe no one would come.

They were wrong.

In fact, when Peasley arrived at the station a few minutes prior to the 10 a.m. start time, multiple people were already waiting to relinquish their supplies.

In all, 10 people dropped off gun-related items to the RPD during the four hour event. And, because of their willingness, 13 guns are contained and no longer a source of stress for their previous owners. Those 13 guns consisted of 5 handguns and 8 long guns (shotguns or rifles), according to Peasley.

Of those 13, two people also brought ammunition. Three others brought only ammunition. Some of that ammo was packaged in large containers.

Four people took home free gun locks, which can be angled in a way that prevents cartridges from closing completely.

“These guns are not going to be potentially stolen from a house, or potentially used in a threatening manner,” said Chief John Kilbride of the Falmouth Police Department, in a statewide news conference. “That’s a good thing. That’s where our success is.” 

The metal portions of the guns will be melted and recycled, then used by Humanium Metal (IM Swedish Development Partner) and Joshua Reiman, sculptor and chair of sculpture and associate professor at MECA&D to make new art and useful products.

“The international cooperation involved in coordinating this firearms destruction highlights the importance of peace and of community spirit,” said Nacole Palmer, of the Maine Gun Safety, in a news release. “This project aims to address the global issue of gun violence by transforming decommissioned firearms into valuable resources that support sustainable development projects worldwide.”

At the Rockland event, some people offered stories about their decision to relinquish. One had tears in his eyes while he spoke of having learned long ago to shoot from the .22 that he was relinquishing. It was a part of his life and a reminder of his bond with other hunters in his family. Another one purchased a gun with the intent to kill gophers. He never took the gun out of the box. Another spoke of attempts spanning several years to relinquish guns in other Midwest and Southern states, but being refused. Two years ago, when Gun Giveback Day was last held in Maine, that person just missed the collection day, and waited until this next opportunity to return again, this time successfully. 

Fifteen other Maine law enforcement agencies participated in today’s event, which is in cooperation with the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com