Chief Moore Invites Angelenos to Gun Buyback Events This Saturday NR20305ne

Angelenos will be able to receive up to $200 in exchange for returned firearms at three locations citywide

LOS ANGELES: Chief Michel Moore today invited Angelenos to help build a safer Los Angeles at Gun Buyback events happening this Saturday, December 5th. Reducing gun violence is a top priority for the LAPD. In a tough year when homicides are rising across the city, the annual Gun Buyback is a chance to rally the community around the drive to take more guns off the streets and improve security in our neighborhoods. Chief Michel Moore stated, “Reducing the number of shooting victims in Los Angeles has never been more important to the safety of all Angelenos. Every gun recovered in this “Buy Back” program means one less weapon that can be used to inflict harm.”

“Fewer guns on the street translates into less crime, more peace of mind, and safer communities,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Between our Gun Buyback events, our policy initiatives, and the efforts of our LAPD, we have made clear progress in tackling the plague of gun violence in our city — and in these trying times, we will stay focused on meeting our core goals when it comes to the pandemic, public health, or public safety: protecting our families and saving lives.”

The Gun Buyback initiative allows people to anonymously submit firearms in exchange for gift cards valued at $100 for handguns, shotguns, and rifles, and $200 for assault weapons as classified in the State of California, while supplies last. Firearms brought to a buyback location must be unloaded and stored in the trunk of a vehicle. Since 2013, the City of Los Angeles has removed 43,032 firearms from the streets, through joint efforts by the LAPD and the City’s Gun Buyback program.

The Gun Buyback events take place in drive-through format and all participants are required to remain in their vehicles at all times. This year’s events will apply strict COVID-19 safety protocols including staff wearing face shields, masks and gloves, and physical distancing, and all participants will be required to wear a face covering. The Gun Buyback events will take place this Saturday, December 5th, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at three locations:

South L.A. Bethel A.M.E. Church L.A. 7900 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90047

Lincoln Heights Lincoln Park Recreation Center 3501 Valley Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90031

Van Nuys Van Nuys Masonic Building 14750 Sherman Way Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91405

The City’s Gun Buyback program operates under the same premise of all smart laws regarding gun violence prevention: regulating access to guns reduces the number of gun-related injuries and deaths. A 2019 survey found that 91% of respondents felt their community was safer because of the Gun Buyback event. Still, nearly 30% of participants indicated that they or someone that they know had been a victim of gun violence.

For more information about the gun buyback events, call (877) LAPD-247.