'Military-Grade' Rocket Launcher Exchanged In LA Gun Buyback
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Hundreds of handguns, rifles and dozens of assault weapons were off the streets of Los Angeles on Monday as part of the city's annual gun buyback program.
KNX 1070's John Brooks reports even a rocket launcher was among counted among the other firearms exchanged for food coupons worth up to $200 each.
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck were among those on hand to announce the results of Saturday's daylong Gun Buyback Initiative which yielded a total of 1,673 firearms, including 53 assault weapons, 791 handguns, 527 rifles and 302 shotguns.
"You're not hunting ducks with this stuff," said Villaraigosa.
The firearms were exchanged for food coupons donated by Ralphs in partnership with CBS2/KCAL9, the LAPD, and a number of community service and faith-based organizations.
Chief Beck said almost 8,000 guns have been removed over the last four years, but there remains a massive arsenal still in the hands of Angelenos.
"If you do the math, we figure there's about 3 million guns in the city of Los Angeles, but these are guns that people are willing to exchange for groceries," said Beck.
He also described the rocket launcher as a 16 millimeter military-grade anti-tank weapon similar to one that was sold in last year's event.
