You can’t put a price on safety, but paying individuals to surrender weapons goes a long way toward increasing the peace. On Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Mathis Community Center (19300 Greenfield Road, Detroit), Wayne County Sheriff Benny N. Napoleon, Caliber Collection and Judge Greg Mathis will hold a gun buy-back program—CASH FOR CALIBER—aimed at decreasing gun violence and innocent loss of life. Those interested in surrendering any type of unloaded gun may do so no questions asked. In exchange, individuals will receive a $50 gift card for each gun surrendered.
“Gun buy-back programs are effective because it allows people to get rid of weapons in their homes they don’t want around,” said Sheriff Napoleon. “Too many of our babies and loved ones are falling victim to gun violence. This allows us to work together to get guns off the streets which will save lives.”
While gift cards are given on the spot, a unique bonus to gathering the high-caliber cache is that the serial numbers from the weapons collected are used to make the beautiful and collectable pieces of jewelry created by Jessica Mindich, CEO and President of the Caliber Collection, which will continue to raise more money to fund future gun buyback programs.
Over 1,500 guns have been acquired and fashioned into jewelry which has sold in more than 85 countries. Caliber Collection donates 20% of sales to gun buyback programs and so far has raised more than $135,000 for police departments in Newark, Hartford, the San Francisco Bay Area and Detroit.
“Everybody can play a role in helping reduce gun violence. Whether it’s participating in a buyback program, designing jewelry made from gun metal or talking to your friends about the devastating impact illicit guns have in our communities,” said Mindich. “I am proud to be a part of the Wayne County buyback programs which is not only strengthening trust between law enforcement and the community, but is offering an opportunity to make homes and lives safer. Please join us in helping raise the caliber of the community by promoting peace.”
Gun violence has taken an extreme toll in metro Detroit, killing more than 296 people in 2015. Detroit Police officials say last weekend was particularly deadly with more than 21 victims of gunfire resulting in six fatalities. Sadly, 12 children have been shot this year in Michigan with four dying from their injuries; nationwide, 194 children age 11 or younger have been injured or killed by gunfire (Source: Gun Violence Archive).
Renowned television judge and native Detroiter Hon. Greg Mathis is providing the Mathis Community Center to serve as the location of the event and will be on-site to assist the effort. “Cash for Caliber” will operate on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 10 a.m. and will run until the gift card supply has been depleted. Parking is available and the event will be staffed and secured by WCS personnel.
As a result of Caliber Collection’s success, Mindich created The Caliber Foundation, which offers support to victims, families and communities affected by gun violence. The Caliber Foundation is the grateful recipient of recent grants from Shepard Fairey/Obey Giant, Library Street Collective, Wylie E. Groves H.S., Illitch Holdings, Inc and Rock Ventures. Mindich also founded the “Raise The Caliber Initiative,” a National advocacy campaign to end illegal gun violence. Proceeds from Raise The Caliber® partnerships are donated to the Caliber Foundation.
For more information on this unique line of jewelry and the associated Raise The Caliber partners and Caliber Foundation, log on to www.calibercollection.com
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