L.A. County gets 5,337 weapons in Gifts for Guns program

(From the L.A. Times) L.A. County’s gun exchange program collected 5,337 weapons in 2009, including 144 assault-style rifles. The Sheriff’s Department, along with supporters of the Gifts for Guns program, handed out more than $428,100 in gift cards throughout the year at supermarket parking lots around the county in exchange for the guns.

“I tell the deputies if it is a gun that could harm one of our deputies, then it is a gun we want off the street,” said Lt. Anthony Lucia, who oversaw the collection of 281 weapons at a Ralphs in Compton this week.

One man there turned in 58 weapons, mostly small-caliber firearms. Handguns, rifles and shotguns were exchanged with no questions asked for $50, $100 and $200 gift cards from Ralphs, Food 4 Less or Target.

Read more here: L.A. County took 5,337 weapons off the streets in Gifts for Guns program