Global General

Gun buyback program get started in L.A.

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-10 15:59

A policeman stands guard over the firearms collected during a gun buyback program in Los Angeles on May 10, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

LOS ANGELES - Some 2,500 firearms were collected during a Gun Buyback program in Los Angeles, authorities announced on Sunday.

Under the city's second annual Gun Buyback program which started on Saturday, residents surrendered their firearms in exchange for a grocery store gift card or a prepaid Visa card.

Officials described the program as the most successful in the nation.

Those turning in assault weapons received gift cards worth 200 dollars, while those who gave up handguns, shotguns and rifles got cards worth 100 dollars.

Gift cards worth 197,400 dollars were handed out, compared to 130,000 last year, according to the Mayor's Office.To encourage people to turn in their firearms, authorties did not ask gun owners any questions when collecting their weapons.

The number of firearms collected this year was about 800 more than during the first year of the event, the Mayor's Office said.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said earlier that the program was designed to "create a safer Los Angeles, neighborhood by neighborhood."

Opponents of gun control have questioned the value of gun buyback programs, expressing doubt that most criminals wouldn't turn in their weapons.