LAPD's Gun Buyback Nets 1,650 Weapons

For some moms, the greatest present they could recieve on Mother's Day was to have a violent weapon removed from their home.

The Huffington Post Los Angeles reports that more than 1,650 guns were turned into the Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday through the department's annual gun buyback program.

From the Huffington Post

Villaraigosa explained on his Facebook page why the event was held on Mother's Day weekend this year. "[W]e chose this day for the Gun Buyback Program because too many mothers lose their children due to gun violence," he wrote. "This is our opportunity to make a real difference for our children, our families, and our future."

The gun buyback program allows people to turn in their firearms and ammunition with no questions asked. In exchange, they receive a Ralphs or Visa prepaid card for amounts based on the value of the gun. Up to $200 was granted for assault weapons and up to $100 for handguns, rifles and shotguns.

Critics of the program have argued that by not running ballistics tests on the guns, LAPD is allowing violent crimes to go unsolved. However, those who support it say getting guns off the street should be the department's top priority.