Citywide Buyback Nets Over 2000 Guns NR11217cj

Los Angeles: On May 7, 2011, 2062 firearms were exchanged for Ralphs gift cards or pre-paid Visa gift cards.  On Saturday morning, lines of automobiles 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 Buyback Program is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development.  Major corporate sponsorship was provided by the Ralphs Corporation.  While many in the media covered the event, the primary media partner was KCBS 2 / KCAL 9.  

"In three year’s time, we have removed over 6,000 guns from the streets of Los Angeles," Mayor Villaraigosa said, "The residents of this city have seized the opportunity to take matters into our own hands and prevent the next tragic shooting in our community."

At the conclusion of the event, Ralphs and Visa gift cards totaling around $211,000 had been exchanged for firearms.  Chief of Police Charlie Beck said, “We are grateful for the continued support of this program.  The fact that we continue to get participation from people all over Los Angeles is encouraging.  Although the scope of today’s success cannot be measured; the guns displayed here will never be used to harm innocent people.  It is also a solemn remembrance of those victims’ lives lost this year due to gun violence. Our deepest gratitude goes to Ralphs and our media sponsor KCBS2 / KCAL 9.”   

Individuals may still surrender guns to any LAPD 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 LAPD, Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

Weapons Surrendered During the 2011 Gun Buyback

Types of Weapons
 Handguns:   953
Rifles: 688
Shotguns: 330
Assault: 91

LAPD Division Totals
77th:  269
Hollywood: 179
Northeast:  475
Southwest: 138
Harbor:  365
Mission:  636

Total Guns2062