Michigan church’s gun buyback and disposal efforts featured on ‘The Daily Show’

[Episcopal News Service] An Episcopal church in Michigan was featured on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” for a humorous segment about a very serious issue: gun violence.

Desi Lydic, a correspondent on the satirical news show, interviewed the Rev. Chris Yaw, rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield, about the congregation’s efforts to dispose of relinquished guns in the state. The church has organized eight gun buyback and disposal events across the Detroit area in the past three years, resulting in the destruction of 650 firearms.

“There are millions of unwanted guns in the possession of reluctant owners all across the U.S. posing unknown health risks to individuals and communities,” Yaw said in a March 7 news release, “And every weapon we help take out of circulation has the potential to avert a tragedy.”

On the show, Lydic interviewed Yaw while seated in a pew of his church.

“How does a priest get involved with getting guns off the streets?” she asked.

“In America, it’s a lot easier to get a gun than to get rid of a gun,” Yaw said, adding that it takes more than “thoughts and prayers.”

Video of the full segment is available here. (Warning, some profane language.)

St. David’s gun buybacks started with an event offering $5,000 worth of gift cards in exchange for the firearms. It was so successful that the line of cars was two miles long, Yaw said, and they ran out of gift cards in 20 minutes.

When asked what kind of gift cards, Yaw said they were mostly to Target.

“Target?!” Lydic responded, with an expression of mock shock.

The segment ends with Yaw bringing Lydic to a workshop where the firearms are sawed in half before disposal.

St. David’s has partnered with the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, the University of Michigan’s Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention, the Southfield Police Department and others in its gun buyback efforts.

It is also part of a statewide effort led by faith leaders, including from Michigan’s three Episcopal dioceses, to raise awareness of gun violence and to advocate for policy changes to improve gun safety.

In January 2025, they celebrated the passage of the state’s newest gun safety law, requiring police to completely destroy all guns turned in during community buyback events.

Gun safety has been a growing issue of concern in Michigan in recent years, especially after deadly mass shootings at Oxford High School in Oxford Township in 2021 and at Michigan State University in East Lansing in 2023.

On average, 1,421 Michiganders die annually from gun violence, and the nationwide average is more than 45,000 , according to data compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Episcopalians can learn more about the church’s gun safety legislation dating to 1976 here.

– David Paulsen is a senior reporter and editor for Episcopal News Service based in Wisconsin. He can be reached at dpaulsen@episcopalchurch.org.