Turn in a gun, get a gift card in L.A.’s buyback program Saturday

As part of a periodic “anonymous gun buyback” program Saturday, Los Angeles gang reduction officials will offer a grocery store gift card worth up to $200 to people willing to hand over a firearm to police.

Handguns, shotguns and rifles will draw up to $100 while card supplies last, and assault weapons will be worth up to $200, officials said.

Authorities will collect guns between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the parking lot at 2379 W. Washington Blvd. in Mid-City and at the Van Nuys Masonic Temple, 14750 Sherman Way.

The weapons should arrive unloaded and in the trunk of a vehicle, officials said.

“The goal is to take these guns off the street and make sure they don’t fall into the hands of criminals or children,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. In exchange for Ralphs gift cards, people can dispose of their firearms -- no questions asked.

According to the city, nearly 13,000 guns have been turned in since the buyback initiative started in 2009. At the last buyback in May, authorities collected nearly 1,000 firearms.

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