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LA Gun Buyback program receives 791 firearms — including one from Sammy Davis Jr.
Guns at Los Angeles's 2016 Gun Buyback event.
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Los Angeles Police Department
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L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck at the 2016 L.A. Gun Buyback event.
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LAPD
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Guns at Los Angeles's 2016 Gun Buyback event.
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LAPD
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There were 791 firearms collected on Saturday at Los Angeles's annual Gun Buyback event, according to a statement from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. It's a slight uptick from the 746 collected last year, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Aaron Jefferson told KPCC.
A total of 364 handguns, 237 rifles, 144 shotguns and 42 assault weapons were bought back at two locations, with four guns categorized as “other,” according to the release. Of those four miscellaneous guns, one was a gun designed to look like a pen — registered to legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. It was also government-issued.
“Only in Los Angeles would you find a gun whose registration might have been held by Frank Sinatra and members of the Rat Pack,” Garcetti said at a news conference where he announced the buyback program results.
Gun owners who turned in their weapons received Ralphs gift cards of up to $200. A total of $70,000 in gift cards were distributed.
The number of firearms turned in was so high, they ran out of gift cards, but many still turned in guns without receiving gift cards, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said at the same press conference. The event ended an hour early.
People who turn in their unwanted guns are not questioned, but the weapons are run through a system to see who they’re registered to and if they are lost or stolen. Of the 791 gun,s 12 were stolen or lost and will be returned to their owners, who will also be given the option to surrender them, according to the Mayor’s Office.
All the firearms collected are then melted, Jefferson told KPCC.
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The program is run by the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development, in partnership with the LAPD. It's collected a total of 15,233 guns since it began in 2009, according to the release.
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