04/21/2026
With a first-time event in Johnson County, KS, Guns to Gardens Kansas City is drawing attention for both its visuals and the volunteers behind it, many of whom are driven by deeply personal reasons for getting involved.
For Dianna Heffernon, a retired schoolteacher and member of Stilwell United Methodist Church, the issue is deeply personal.
“As an educator, and knowing guns are the No. 1 killer for children, and the majority of school shooters got their guns from their homes, I feel like we're making a difference in some small way," she said. Heffernon also recalls a point in her own life when she wished she had a safe way to dispose of her late
husband's hunting rifles after he died. "We had guns in house that nobody knew anything about. I thought I don’t want them in my house, but you can’t put them in the trash or give them to Goodwill. This program would have been a great outlet, and it's so super-cool we repurpose them," she said.
HOW THE EVENT WORKS - AND WHY IT MATTERS:
Guns to Gardens Kansas City will host the May 2 event in southern Johnson County, expanding access to a safe, anonymous way to dispose of unwanted fi****ms. Those interested should bring unloaded fi****ms stored in a vehicle’s trunk or back seat to the church parking lot.
Trained volunteers remove and dismantle fi****ms on site. The materials are later repurposed by local blacksmiths into garden tools, jewelry, and other items, giving tangible expression to the ancient hope of beating swords into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4). Grocery store gift cards are offered in appreciation while supplies last.
This gives people a clear, responsible option for fi****ms they do not want in their homes, no questions asked, said the Rev. Phil Woodson of Stilwell United Methodist Church. He noted that many fi****ms come from life changes such as a death in the family or inherited property, and this creates a straightforward way to handle that safely. As the effort grows from events first piloted by Central Presbyterian Kansas City, MO, the goal is to expand access across Kansas City by partnering with other congregations and community organizations.
Central Presbyterian Kansas City, MO, under the leadership of the Rev. Jenny Wells, piloted the first Guns to Gardens events in Kansas City in 2024 and 2025. This year, the leadership team, including the Rev. Phil Woodson, established Guns to Gardens Kansas City as a nonprofit and is expanding the model by partnering with congregations and community organizations across the metro.
What started at Central Presbyterian Church in Hyde Park has grown into something the broader community can take part in, said the Rev. Jenny Wells of Central Presbyterian Church. She added that people are looking for a responsible way to dispose of fi****ms, and when they see how it works, from safe disposal to transformation into something useful, it resonates in a lasting way.
National data underscores the urgency. Fi****ms are the leading cause of death for children and teens and the most common method used in su***des.
In previous Kansas City Guns to Gardens events, the majority of fi****ms collected were inherited or gifted. Participants often cite concerns about children, aging family members, or mental health as reasons for disposal, with some traveling significant distances to take part.
For more information, visit https://www.gunstogardenskc.org/
