Sheriff Provides Gift Cards For Guns

 

A Los Angeles County sheriff's event to get more guns off the streets turned out sucessfully, officials said.
On Monday, Sheriff Lee Baca, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas and Compton city officials presided over the "Gifts for Guns" program.
At the event -- between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m -- those turning in weapons were sent through various checkpoints where the guns were collected, bagged, tagged and rendered safe, officials said.
Deputies collected 193 rifles, five shotguns, 144 handguns, 22 assault rifles and 22 non-operational guns, according to Nicole Nishida, LASD Public Information Officer.
Handguns, rifles and shotguns garnered $100 gift cars and assault weapons were exchanged for $200 gift cards, Nishida said.
Non-operational guns were turned in for $50 gift cards, she said.
The gift cards -- they totaled $38,500 -- are redeemable at Target and Ralph’s Markets; Ridley-Thomas donated a portion of the funds.
“These guns collected today will never be used on the streets again and is the most benign enforcement of common sense,” Baca said.
The guns collected will be melted down at the department's annual Gun Melt and used for construction rebar or “Peace Angels” sculptures.