Joe Easterly was among the gun owners who showed up Saturday at People’s Missionary Baptist Church for a police department program designed to make sure guns do not get into the wrong hands.

No questions were asked of Mr. Easterly when he turned in a 38-caliber handgun to police and received a cash voucher at the church on Heston Street, near Pinewood Avenue in central Toledo.

“It’s an old gun that I had. I wanted to get rid of it,” Mr. Easterly said.

Under the “Cash for Guns” program, which ran for six hours in the church’s basement, people received cash vouchers when they turned in operable firearms.

No questions were asked and participants could remain anonymous.

Vouchers for $50 were offered for working handguns, rifles, and shotguns, with a maximum of two per person. The vouchers can be redeemed later for cash at One Government Center.

Mr. Easterly of Toledo said the $50 was more than he would have gotten for the gun from a dealer. He said he also like the idea of efforts to stop violent crime.

“We need to try to get the guns off the streets. These kids are crazy nowadays,” he said.

Toledo police Sgt. Anita Madison said collecting and disposing of unused firearms could go a long way in preventing them from falling into the wrong hands and being used in criminal activity.

“We hope to get as many as unwanted firearms as possible,” Sergeant Madison said. “If people don’t want their firearms in their home we are offering them the opportunity to get rid of them, and they get a little incentive.”

A man who identified himself as Mike, but would not give his last name, said he heard police would be paying for firearms at the church, and figured the “Cash for Guns” would be a good opportunity to get rid of two shotguns he had inherited many years ago from his father.

In addition to attracting people willing to trade in their guns for cash, the buyback drew private gun buyers and collectors who were willing to pay people cash.

Larry Lorms of Columbus was willing to offer more than $50, possibly $300 to $400, depending on the model, age, and condition.

“I am looking to add to my personal collection,” he said. “Some of these guys who have guns don’t know they have. I support what the police are doing. Some of these guns, like the sawed-off shotguns, need to be off the street.”

Sergeant Madison said she was aware of the buyers outside the church.

“That is their right to be there. We are not concerned about them,” she said. “Our mission is to provide a service to our community. We are not trying to pressure people to get rid of guns they want to keep.”

Mary, who also would not provide her last name, said she liked the program because it promotes safety. She went to the church to redeem a handgun that had belonged to her stepmother.

“This is a nice safe place to properly dispose of the gun. I don’t want it on the street and I don’t want it in my home. I have two grandchildren who are under 2 years old,” said the woman, who lives in Swanton.

Toledo police department sponsored a gun buyback in June, 2013, the first for the department in about 10 years.

That effort, also held at People’s Missionary Baptist Church, got 178 firearms off the streets, including two that later were determined to be stolen.

Police also handed out gun locks and literature on gun safety. People also could dispose of unwanted or expired prescriptions, medications, and pills.

Contact Mark Reiter at: markreiter@theblade.com or 419-724-6199.

First Published September 14, 2014, 4:00 a.m.