Sculpture Honors Gun Buyback Former Pocatello Student’s Project Was Hard-Won, But It’s Paying Off

It has been more than three years since Robert Foster first suggested a gun buyback to combat violence.

As chairman of the Pocatello Youth Forum, the then-Highland High School senior was concerned about the rise in gangs and youth violence.

A graceful steel sculpture made from the guns that will be dedicated Wednesday commemorates the forum’s efforts. But it also brings back memories of threats, politicking and misunderstanding.

Gun buy-backs had been successful in larger cities, and Foster wanted to try one.

Foster, now 20, knew the idea would be met with resistance.

“Anything resembling gun control in Pocatello is going to be controversial,” Foster said from his home in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Some locals considered the buyback a form of gun control, unpopular in a city where residents stand staunchly behind their constitutional right to bear arms.

Others did not realize it was voluntary and called the mayor and city councilmen to complain.

Death threats were made against forum members, though they still collected $1,500 to buy back 22 guns.

“We knew the turnout wasn’t going to be spectacular,” Foster said. “But it was important to get people to realize there was a problem.”

The sculpture was created by Dennis Proksa from 19 of the guns.

Proksa acknowledged the friction surrounding the buy-back but said he did not hesitate to get involved.

“It’s a way to communicate ideas,” he said. “Some people may get angry about the destruction of weapons. Others will be happy they’ve been made inert.”

Youth forum adviser Mickie Adler said she hopes people do not think of the controversy every time they see the sculpture.

“I hope we remember that there was a group of 12 really committed teens who wanted to do something about the horrible, violent acts committed by youth and against youth.”