Citywide Buyback Nets 2511 Guns NR10246cj

Representing a New City Record in Citywide Gift Cards for Guns Event
On May 8, 2010, 2511 firearms were exchanged for Ralphs gift cards or pre-paid Visa gift cards.  On Saturday morning, lines of vehicles formed at each of the surrender locations well before the 10 a.m. scheduled opening.  Community members received cards valued at $100 for most firearms and $200 for firearms classified as assault rifles.  

The Citywide Gun Buy Back Program is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD).  Major corporate sponsorship was provided by the Ralph’s corporation.  While many in the media covered the event, the primary media partner was KCBS 2 / KCAL 9.  

"I would like to thank all the Angelenos who joined us over the weekend in securing a safer City for every family by helping us get 2500 dangerous weapons off the streets," Mayor Villaraigosa said.   "This year’s successful turn-out shows that the gifts-for-guns method has been
tested and it works."

At the conclusion of the event, Ralph’s and Visa cards worth a total value of $197,400 had been exchanged for firearms.  Deputy Chief David Doan said, “Eighty-five of the firearms were assault rifles, with no legitimate civilian purpose and in most cases illegal to possess.”  He added, “Confidence in our promise ‘not to ask questions’ is likely the difference between an assault weapon being surrendered and it being stored for another year.  Until Saturday, they were prime targets for theft; today they are destined for a foundry.”

Chief of Police Charlie Beck said, “The guns displayed today will never be stolen or used in a robbery, assault, or murder; the scope of that success can never be fully measured.  We owe a special thanks to Ralph’s and our media sponsor KCBS2 / KCAL 9.”   
 
Individuals may still surrender guns to any Los Angeles Police Department Community Police Station.  When bringing a firearm to a police station, please leave the unloaded gun(s) in a locked container or stored in a vehicle trunk.  Assistance will be provided after discussing the intent to surrender a weapon with an officer at the police station desk.  Until another Gun Buyback event is scheduled, no gift cards will be exchanged.  Please visit the LAPD website at www.lapdonline.org to find the nearest community police station.  

For additional information, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

Weapons Surrendered During the 2010 Gun Buyback

Operations-Valley Bureau

LAPD Division  Total Handguns  Rifles  Shotguns  Assault Weapons  Grenade Launcher attached to a Rifle
Mission    654    333    189    103    29    0
OVB Total –     654    333    189    103    29    0

Operations-Central Bureau

LAPD Division  Total  Handguns  Rifles  Shotguns  Assault Weapons  Grenade Launcher attached to a Rifle
Hollenbeck    449    201    147    88    13    1
OCB Total –     449    201    147    88    13    1

Operations-West Bureau

LAPD Division  Total  Handguns  Rifles  Shotguns  Assault Weapons  Grenade Launcher attached to a Rifle
Hollywood    386    198    112    65    11    1 – Grenade
OWB Total –     386    198    112    65    11    1 – Grenade

Operations-South Bureau

LAPD Division  Total  Handguns  Rifles  Shotguns  Assault Weapons  Grenade Launcher attached to a Rifle
Harbor    590    263    193    108    26    1-Claymore
77th Street    432    221    106    99    6    0
OSB Total –     1022    484    299    207    32    1-Claymore

Total Guns
2511    1216    747    463    85   
1-Launcher
1-Grenade
1-Claymore