MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - An initiative sponsored by Mayor Wharton's office aimed to crack down on crime by getting guns off the street.
The parking lot of Bloomfield Baptist Church in southwest Memphis became a judgment free zone Saturday as 500 guns were turned in for gas. Each person received a $50 gas card for every gun they turned in.
It was an offer some said they couldn't refuse.
"It's my daddy's old army gun," said 'Gas for Guns' participant Alma Moore. "He's been dead 20 years and I didn't want it in the house anymore so I decided to get rid of it."
Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong says he is proud of the community and Saturday's turnout exceeded his expectations.
"We had no idea that we would get this type of turn out. It shows our message reached our intended target, it shows that people are paying attention for the safety of out citizens."
In addition to the $50 gas card participants also got two tickets to a Memphis Grizzlies game.
