By Brandon Johnson
In 2008, teenagers Monique Palmer, and Michael Taylor, were killed by a gunman leaving a party late one night. It was this act of senseless violence that prompted Rev. Gerald W. Brown, executive director United African American Ministerial Action Council (UAAMAC) and fellow clergy to launch a gun exchange. “We have to do something about really striking at the heart of violence in our community,” says Rev. Brown. “One of the important things was to get the guns out of the streets, out of the cars, and out of the homes where people are storing them.” In an effort to combat this problem, the clergy decided to offer gift cards in exchange for operable guns. With donations coming from the Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney, UAAMAC was able to raise over $20,000 in donations as well as around $26,000 in very high end skateboards donated by Carver Skateboards, which actually exceed the value of the gift cards and range in cost from around $250-$300 each. Also on hand to supplying man power, from getting the weapons out of the cars, to directing traffic and inspecting the guns were SDPD and SWAT.
Held on Saturday, December 19th in the parking lot of the BRYCO building on Market Street, this event serves as UAAMAC’s seventh year hosting the exchange, with the gathering being quite successful. “For me the turnout was more than expected,” Rev Brown shared. “With the debates going on as it relates to gun control and also the fear that’s going on, folks are going out buying guns to have that protection. To have so many people coming out is a good thing, because this [represents] more weapons that people cannot steal and use, as all the weapons turned in must be operational.”
Dennis Martinez of Carver Skateboards, expounded on the value of the skateboards. “This is great exchange. Some grandparents are even turning their guns in to give a skateboard to their grandchild for Christmas. If you can detour a kid from going towards guns and get them on a skateboard, that’s a really great thing.”
All the weapons turned in were to be taken – no questions asked. Along with the hope of decreasing gun violence, this exchange also lessens the opportunity for those guns to fall into the hands of children.
Some of the other skateboard sponsors were:
• Carver Skateboards
• Loaded Skateboards
• Bustin Skateboards
• Concrete Wave Skateboards
• Long Boarding For Peace Skateboards
• “H” Street Skateboards
• Deathbox Skateboards
• Mindtwisters Skateboards
• Flying Aces Skateboards
