The city of Los Angeles will hold its gun buyback on Wednesday. The city has been hosting buybacks since 2009 as a way to help remove guns from the streets. Officials said since the program began citizens have turned in nearly 8,000 guns.
Though they can't definitely tie it to the program, officials said that since the program began they've noted a 39 percent drop in gang crimes and a 33 percent drop in the number of “shots fired” incidents.
They also said they've seen a 23 percent drop in the number of shooting victims.
“When compared to the numbers of guns that have been taken off the streets during the same time period it certainly can be suggested that the program is having a positive impact on the safety of our communities,” Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a press release.
Here's what you need to know about the program:
- Citizens can turn in their guns -- anonymously and with no questions asked -- for gift cards worth either up to $100 for pistols, shotguns and rifles and up to $200 for assault weapons.
- Those wishing to participate are not asked for identification.
- The buyback locations are set up in a drive-thru configuration.
- Citizens are asked to bring their unloaded weapons secured in the trunk of their vehicles.
- When they arrive at the Gun Buyback location they will be greeted by personnel who will provide them with instructions on how the guns will be removed from their vehicles.
- Police officers will take possession of the surrendered guns and the citizen will be offered a gift card for their surrendered firearm.
- There is no paperwork, no photographs and no logging of anyone who surrenders a weapon.
The buyback will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday at two locations:
In the San Fernando Valley guns may be surrendered in Van Nuys at the Van Nuys Masonic Temple, 14750 Sherman Way, CA 91405
At at the Los Angeles Sports Arena – Parking Lot #6, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Figueroa Street, 3939 South Figueroa St.
Anyone with questions is asked to contact the Mayor’s Office Gang Reduction and Youth Development program office at (213) 473-7796, via email at lagryd@lacity.org.
