Local incinerator destroys weapons, illegal drugs
By Tom Burkindine, The Panola Watchman, Sunday, November 2, 2003
A local couple recently became concerned about the safety of keeping firearms in their home when the learned they had a child on the way. After searching for ways to rid themselves of the guns, they found an interesting alternative to simply giving them away.
Brent and Rocsie Brightwell, of Beckville, were expecting their first child when they watched Bowling for Columbine, the Michael Moore documentary which investigates gun violence in America. The couple said they realized the likelihood of the guns being involved in an accident at home was much greater than actually protecting them against an intruder.
The Brightwells also said they were increasingly concerned that if the guns were simply given away, the weapons may be involved in harming someone else. After researching their possibilities, they learned of a facility in the area that destroys guns and other materials.
Sharps Environmental Services in Carthage incinerates guns and illegal drugs for law enforcement agencies as well as domestic waste from home healthcare agencies. The Brightwells approached Sharps to request their guns be incinerated and said although the company was inquisitive, they were more than willing to destroy their weapons on one condition.
Sharps requires the presence of a representative from the local Sheriff’s Department during the destruction, according to Judy Lawhorn, Sharps office manager. Lawhorn said the company has to be assured that the weapons were not involved in a crime or stolen before they incinerate them.
The Brightwells were accompanied by Panola Country Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Joe Mims and had their weapons destroyed on October 16. The couple said they feel safer without danger weapons in their home.
Sharps Environmental Services destroys approximately 1,000 pounds of weapons every couple of months from law enforcement agencies in the area. The firearms were typical used in a crime. The company also destroys thousands of pounds of illegal drugs from the border patrol and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.
All materials which are being incinerated are burned at a temperature between 1,800 degrees to 2,200 degrees. During the burning, smoke is sent through an environmentally safe caustic tank where it is filtered and neutralized.
