Gun Buyback Day on May 4 Includes Site in Van Nuys

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, gang intervention and prevention service providers, and victim advocacy organizations, announced today the locations for the Citywide Gun Buyback program aimed at reducing the levels of gun violence in Los Angeles. The Gun Buyback will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at four locations throughout the City.  

An initiative of the Mayor's Gang Reduction and Youth Development Office (GRYD), the 2013 GunBuyback will reward the voluntary surrender of firearms while engaging the community towards a common goal of reducing gun violence. In partnership with the LAPD and numerous community and faith-based organizations, the Gun Buyback effort will secure four neutral locations throughout the City where individuals can surrender their firearms—no questions asked.

In exchange for the firearm, the individual will receive a Ralphs grocery card. The amount per firearm will depend on its type, up to $200 for assault weapons as specified in the State of California and up to $100 for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. The LAPD Gun Unit will be on site to determine the type of classification of the firearm surrendered.

The Gun Buyback Program has collected nearly 10,000 firearms from across the City since 2009.  The GRYD office worked with the LAPD, media partner KCAL 9/KCBS 2, and numerous community organizations to plan and outreach for the event.

The Gun Buyback Program will be held at the following four locations throughout the City:

Central Los Angeles

LAPD Northeast Area

Los Angeles Fire Department

Frank Hotchkins Training Academy

1700 Stadium Way

Los Angeles, CA 90012

South Los Angeles

LAPD Harbor Area

Park & Ride Parking Lot

1300 West Pacific Coast Highway

Wilmington, CA 90744

South Los Angeles

LAPD 77th Area

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

7900 South Western Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90047

Valley

LAPD Van Nuys Area

Van Nuys Masonic Building Association

14750 Sherman Way

Van Nuys, CA 91405