This year, spurred by the devastating tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, the Los Angeles Police Department in partnership with the Mayor’s Gang Reduction & Youth Development program has moved up its annual gun buyback initiative to the day after Christmas, with an additional buyback to be announced in 2013—all in an effort to make our communities safer. It's a no-questions asked, no ID-required process that gives Ralph's grocery-store gift cards to folks who give up their weapons (up to $100 for handguns, shotguns and rifles; up to $200 for assault weapons).
Since the program's inception in 2009, nearly 8,000 guns have been surrendered and, according to the LAPD, in the past four years, violent crimes have gone down by more than 33% and gang violence has undergone a 39% reduction. The buyback locations are set up in a drive-thru configuration and the process is completely anonymous.
Ready to give up your arms (or know someone who wants to)? Just bring the unloaded weapons, secured in the trunk of your car, to one of two buyback locations on Dec 26 between 9am to 4pm. There's no paperwork, no photographs and no logging of anyone who surrenders a weapon. This year's buyback will take place in Van Nuys at the Van Nuys Masonic Temple (14750 Sherman Way) and in South Los Angeles at the LA Sports Arena (aka the Coliseum) in parking lot #6 (Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and Figueroa Street). Check the LAPD website for more details.