Bishop Robert Pettus unfortunately spent most of his Saturday turning people away from his church Saturday morning. He wasn’t turning them away from any church service, but rather was turning away those who wanted to turn in guns. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to take the guns off the streets; it was that the program had simply run out of money in mere minutes.

Saturday marked the second gun buyback by Pettus and his church, Macedonia Apostolic Church. The first, held in December, saw 57 guns turned in. Saturday, due to a decrease in the amount of funds available, the church was only able to take in 37 guns.

“One off the street is an accomplishment. One gun — a gun that can’t be used in a crime — is good. Today, we were able to get 37, but we’d like to get many more,” Pettus said.

The church offered $100 for any gun turned in Saturday, but the church’s fund for the program was tapped quickly.

“We started at 10 and we were done in about 20 minutes,” Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley said. “It was a phenomenal turnout and we were able to get some guns off the street.”

Of the weapons turned in, it was the sawed off shotguns that caused Riley and his staff on hand the most concern.

“Those right there are the ones that we were the most glad to see today,” Riley said. “Those are the ones you never see coming and — and close range – those are the ones that can do serious damage.”

Pistols, including .22 and .38 caliber, accounted for a majority of the guns turned in, while shotguns and one rifle making up the rest.

Riley said the guns would next be checked with the ATF and then destroyed.

“Of the guns we bought back in December, a few of them, we found, had been stolen,” Riley said. “So, we were able to get in touch with the rightful owners, and return the gun.”

For Selma Mayor George Evans, who was in attendance Saturday, he thinks the program can be much bigger and help take even more guns off the street.

“It would be my suggestion that when the city council and mayor receives their discretionary funds next year, that they put aside $500 toward this program,” Evans said. “That would go a long way in helping getting some of these guns off the street.”

For Pettus, while he was pleased with the turnout Saturday and the interest, he said the church would wait until they can raise $10,000 before the next one.

“That would give us the ability to buy back 100 guns,” Pettus said. “So, we will work to raise the money starting now.”

Pettus said anyone wishing to make a donation to the fund, can call 875-5338.