MAYOR GARCETTI, CHIEF BECK ANNOUNCE 746 GUNS TAKEN OFF THE STREET AT CITY GUN BUYBACK

LOS ANGELES — Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck announced today that 746 firearms were taken off the street during the city’s Gun Buyback May 11th.

In total, 374 handguns, 200 rifles, 143 shotguns, and 29 assault weapons were collected at two locations.  A total of 14,442 guns have been taken off the street at ten Gun Buyback events since the program’s inception in 2009; of these, 47% were handguns, the guns most often used in firearm homicides.

“The Gun Buyback gives Angelenos the opportunity to help make our city safer by taking these guns off the street so they don’t fall into the hands of criminals or children,” said Mayor Garcetti.

An initiative of the Mayor’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development Office, the Gun Buyback program also involves LAPD and victim advocacy organizations, faith-based groups, and other community organizations.

In exchange for surrendering weapons, participants in the Gun Buyback receive a Ralphs pre-paid card. The amount per firearm is dependent on its type, up to $200 for assault weapons as specified by the State of California, and up to $100 for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. The LAPD Gun Unit determines the type and classification of the firearm surrendered.