LAPD Hosts Gun Buyback Event Across LA, Van Nuys

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The LAPD hosted a gun buyback event Saturday and it was called a "great success" even before the final tally was made.

In the program, guns are surrendered to law enforcement, with no questions asked, at four locations across the Southland. In exchange for guns, officers are giving out Ralphs gift cards valued at up to $200.

The city of Los Angeles accepted firearms from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following spots:

•  Los Angeles Sports Arena, located at 3939 S. Figueroa St., in central L.A.;
• the park and ride parking lot at 1300 W. Pacific Coast Highway inWilmington;
• the parking lot at 2379 W. Washington Blvd. in West Los Angeles;
• Van Nuys Masonic Temple, located at 14750 Sherman Way.

Almost 12,000 firearms have been taken off the streets since the city's gun buyback program started in 2009, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's office.

The Gang Reduction and Youth Development in the mayor's office runs the gun buyback and the Summer Night Lights program.