During a weekend gun buyback event, 950 firearms were surrendered in Los Angeles in exchange for grocery gift cards, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday.
The Saturday event brought in 476 handguns, 273 rifles, 170 shotguns and 31 assault rifles at four locations around the city.
“The tragic shooting in Santa Barbara reminded us of the horrors of gun violence,” Garcetti said in a statement.
“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.”
The program started in 2009 and has taken a total of 12,918 weapons off the street. Anyone can turn in a weapon with a "no questions asked" policy in exchange for a Ralphs grocery store pre-paid gift card during a handful of annual events.
Anyone turning in a handgun, rifle or shotgun receives $100, and up to $200 for assault weapons.
"This is not about the right to own guns, this is about getting rid of those guns that serve no useful purpose," Beck said at a press conference Monday. "Many of the weapons here are illegal on their face. They don't belong in a civilized society."
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The majority of the guns collected during the city's buybacks are destroyed. Any weapons that were previously reported stolen will be returned to their owners.
