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Attorney Jerry Acker and Wayne County Assistant Executive Alan Helmkamp roll up a banner after collecting 200 unwanted guns.

(Gus Burns | MLive Detroit)

DETROIT — As many as 40 protestors held signs and wads of cash outside New St. Paul Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Detroit Saturday protesting a Wayne County gun buyback event.

Jerry Acker, a partner in Goodman Acker, P.C law firm, fronted $50 Meijer gift cards for each of the 200 guns collected, a cost of $10,000.

Meanwhile, gun advocates waited outside offering cash for guns the government hoped to take off the streets and out of homes.



"In many cases, they'll end up circulating back in the communities we're trying to take them out of," said Wayne County Chief of Police Operations Rafael Washington said.

One pro-gun protester was detained temporarily and cited for disorderly conduct.

Washington said he was "impeding the walkway," "becoming very vocal," and "interfering with the process."

A woman pulled up to a KFC restaurant near the church. Rober Lamm, 40, of Hamtramck held a box top with "cash for guns" written in black marker.

Groceries for Guns Wayne County 9 Gallery: Groceries for Guns Wayne County

The woman, who would not provide her name, said her husband died five years ago and left behind a rifle and shotgun that she had stored in her basement.

She wanted them out before her curious grandsons found them.

Lamm put on a rubber glove — he said because you never know where the guns have been and they can be greasy — cocked the gun and made sure the chamber was clear.

"I'll pay $50," he said, and the transaction was made. Lamm and other potential customers had no interest in her other long gun — too rusty, they said.

Lamm bought two guns Saturday, a pistol for $50 and a shotgun, which he said he'll use for home protection, for the same.

There are no laws regulating the sale of long guns between citizens who are legal to own guns; there is documentation that must be completed for the sale of handguns.

Spencer Brandon, 29, holstering two handguns, came to the event with a friend form Grand Rapids. His friend, who asked not to be named, opened the trunk of his SUV to show off his purchase, a World War II Japanese rifle.

"I just came because I hate to see these classic guns cut up and destroyed," said Brandon.

Wayne County Assistant Executive Alan Helmkamp said all of the guns will be destroyed.

About eight volunteer deputies sat at a table sorting and researching the guns submitted to see if they were reported stolen. There were World War II Carbines, pistols, rifles and shotguns piled, tagged and laid out on tables in the church gym.

About six had been reported stolen, said Acker. Helmkamp said deputies will try and track down the owners and return them.

Acker, an attorney from Huntington Woods, subsidized and organized the event with Wayne County and the Sheriff's Department.

"I'm tired of all the violence," he said. "I decided we have to push the process forward, so folk who wanted to get a gun out of the house could get a gun out and for those who are keeping a gun in the house to remind them that it's really important to lock them up... and to let our elected officials know that the violence that is going on is unacceptable and everybody has to do more including them."

One grandmother brought in six guns.

"She was scared to death (her grandchildren) were getting into them and this provided an easy, clean, safe way to get them out of the house and make her grandchildren safer," Acker said. "That's a pretty good deal."

Roger Lamm: