LOS ANGELES - 2,037 firearms were collected during the December 26 Gun Buyback in Los Angeles, it was announced today by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.
That brings to 9,979 the total number of firearms collected since 2009, according to a news release.
901 handguns, 698 rifles, 363 shotguns and 75 assault weapons were collected yesterday from Gun Buyback locations in the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena and the Van Nuys Masonic Temple.
In exchange for surrendering weapons participants received Ralph's pre- paid gift cards: up to $200 for assault weapons as specified by the State of California and up to $100 for handguns, rifles and shotguns.
"For too long, dangerous weapons have contributed to countless unnecessary tragedies and deaths," Mayor Villaraigosa said. "The Citywide Gun Buyback effort takes dangerous weapons off our streets and rewards Angelonos who voluntarily surrender their firearms, making our communities safer for us all."
"We are grateful for the continued support of this program," Beck said. "The fact that we continue to get participation from people all over Los Angeles is encouraging. Although the scope of today's success cannot be measured, the guns displayed here will never be used to harm innocent people. It is also a solemn remembrance of those victims' lives lost this year due to gun violence."
The Gun Buyback is an
initiative of the Mayor's Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) Office.
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