Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and the Long Beach Police Department will host an anonymous gun buyback event next month in Long Beach as part of ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence and remove unwanted firearms from homes.
The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 27 and will allow residents to exchange firearms for gift cards without being asked for identification or other personal information.
“This buyback is a safe, anonymous, and easy way to get firearms out of your home and give you some peace of mind,” Hahn said in a statement.
“I have talked to people who had unwanted guns for years but didn’t know how to get rid of them. I know people worry about what would happen if their guns were stolen or found by their kids. This buyback is a safe, anonymous, and easy way to get firearms out of your home and give you some peace of mind.”
According to Hahn’s office, the June event will mark the supervisor’s 17th gun buyback program held throughout southeast Los Angeles County communities including Long Beach, Lynwood, Norwalk, Torrance and Wilmington.
Officials said the previous events have collected and destroyed more than 2,900 firearms.
Participants will receive gift cards based on the type of weapon surrendered, including $100 for working pistols, rifles and shotguns, $200 for ghost guns and $300 for assault rifles.
Long Beach police officials said firearms must be unloaded and transported in the trunk of a vehicle. Organizers advised participants not to arrive on foot or by public transit.
“We remain committed to supporting programs which can reduce the availability and accessibility of firearms in our community,” Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement.
Gift card quantities will be limited and distributed while supplies last.