LA buys from public 267 firearms, including 15 ghost guns, to get them off of the streets

Seventeen assault weapons and 250 other firearms, including 15 ghost guns, were surrendered to the Los Angeles Police Department during a recent so-called “gun buyback” program , LAPD Chief Michel Moore said on Tuesday, April 5.

The annual program was held at five locations across the city on March 26. People were given gift cards of up to $100 for surrendering handguns, shotguns, ghost guns and rifles, and gift cards of up to $200 for surrendering assault weapons.

“I believe it’s a safer Los Angeles with those 267 fewer firearms,” the chief said. “I recognize that the number of firearms in our communities is substantial, but every firearm off the street is one less firearm that can be used against another individual.”

The program was held in the Exposition Park, Florence-Firestone, Van Nuys, Wilmington and Westchester neighborhoods.

The possession of ghost guns is illegal under a law that went into effect last year after passing the City Council unanimously.

Ghost guns are virtually untraceable firearms, without serial numbers, that can be assembled by unlicensed buyers from purchased kits. The unfinished parts are inexpensive and not required under federal law to have a background check to purchase.

This year’s program was the city’s 17th. Over the years, the department has received 17,634 firearms, including 716 assault weapons, Moore said.