A gun buyback event in Long Beach yielded 430 firearms that were surrendered in exchange for gift cards, authorities said.
Firearms were turned in anonymously and voluntarily to be destroyed, including replica firearms and ammunition, during the event in the parking lot at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, at 1950 Lemon Ave., the Long Beach Police Department said.
People who turned in firearms received $50 gift cards for non-functioning firearms, $150 for working pistols, rifles and shotguns, $200 for ghost guns with no serial numbers and $300 for assault rifles.
“This is an opportunity to raise community awareness and focus on reducing gun violence,” said LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish. “We remain committed to supporting programs which can reduce the availability and accessibility of firearms in our community.”
The event was sponsored by the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
“It’s clear that people want a safe way to get rid of unwanted guns — and we will keep doing these buybacks as long as people keep showing up,” Hahn said in a statement.