More than 700 firearms were exchanged for gift cards over the weekend as part of the Los Angeles mayor's 10th gun buyback program, city officials said Monday.
A total of 29 assault rifles were among the 746 weapons turned in by the public on Saturday -- with no questions asked -- in exchange for pre-paid Ralphs grocery cards. The buyback program was held at sites in Van Nuys and the Mid-City area.
Also surrendered were 374 handguns as well as 143 shotguns and 200 rifles, "all off our street, all out of our homes and all away from our communities," Mayor Eric Garcetti said as he announced the results of the latest buyback.
Those who turned in the guns "gave the gift of safety" to Angelenos, he said, and the total of 14,442 guns turned in during all 10 city buyback events held since 2009 represent "potentially one less tragedy, one less crime, one less suicide and one less accident."
