Hundreds Patricipate In SC “Guns For Roses” Program

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Police in South Carolina say they collected more than 200 weapons as part of their “Guns for Roses” program.

Hoping to get the weapons off the streets, authorities in two central South Carolina cities on Saturday set up a program where anyone who turned in a gun received a free rose and a Best Buy gift card.

At a Columbia church, five cars lined up to give away guns before the exchange had even started. At the end of the day, Columbia area police had collected 191 weapons and police in Sumter collected 32.
A handgun was worth a $100 gift card, while a rifle or shotgun netted a $50 gift certificate. Officials say one man turned in six handguns, worth $600 in gift cards.