One group wants to make the Southern Tier safer by getting guns off the street.

Broome County Veterans for Peace exchanged grocery certificates as well as $50 for long guns and $100 for handguns and assault weapons Saturday.

The event was held at the American Civic Association.

The location is symbolic as the ACA was the site of a mass shooting where 13 people died.

Organizers say it’s an opportunity to address gun violence.

"This is Mother's day weekend and we've found over the years that mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers are happy to get rid of guns they're worried about young people possibly getting use of the guns or for whatever other reason,” said Broome County Veterans for Peace President Jack Gilroy.

"It's never easy to prove a negative to show that you've prevented some tragedy from happening,” said Cecily O’Neil, who is the Co-Organizer of the event. “But we hope that we helped at least in that way prevent even one single tragedy in our community and help keep our homes and our streets safer."

The guns will be destroyed at a nearby recycling facility.You can also contact the Broome County Sheriff's Office if you have guns you would like to dispose of.