Gift cards for guns in Compton

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The mean streets of L.A. might get a bit kinder under a police program that offers a little holiday spending spree for residents who turn in guns.

The Los Angeles County sheriff’s station in Compton, in conjunction with the city of Compton, and other local organizations are hosting a firearm surrender program called ‘Gifts for Guns.’

The unique program provides an opportunity for local families to surrender firearms anonymously at the sheriff’s station in exchange for a $100 holiday gift card to Ralph’s, Target or Best Buy. For assault weapons, $200 gift cards are being offered.

No questions are asked of those who participate.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend when the program was launched, 590 guns and two hand grenades were turned in to the sheriff’s station. More than $55,000 in gift cards were handed out in exchange.

The next exchange will be at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Ralph’s parking lot at 280 E. Compton Blvd.

--Lori Kozlowski