Sheriff’s East L.A. station holding gun buyback today
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s East Los Angeles station will host a gun buyback program today, officials said.
The “gifts for guns” event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Belvedere Park, 4801 E. 1st St., East Los Angeles.
Residents can anonymously exchange their weapons for gift cards redeemable at Target stores or Ralphs supermarkets, officials said.
An assault weapon can be turned in for a $200 gift card and a handgun, rifle or shotgun will net its owner a $100 card. Even guns that don’t work can be traded in for a $50 card.
The sheriff’s station is prepared to hand out up to $35,000 in gift cards, while supplies last. The department used money from funds collected through the confiscation or forfeiture of narcotics-related assets.
The buyback program began in Compton in 2005 and has expanded to other communities and departments since then.
During a sheriff’s previous program, in January, 389 firearms were collected during a six-hour period, authorities said. The weapons are destroyed.
“Well over 10,000 weapons have been turned in over the years through many police agencies through these gun buyback programs,” Sheriff Lee Baca said during a news conference this week to announce the event.
ALSO:
Plane smashed into hangar at Chino Airport during engine test
Glendora residents save man from house fire, man’s wife perishes
Santa Monica gunman wrote apology, was denied weapon by state
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
