LA County, LAPD hold gun buyback in Wilmington on Saturday, March 4
Los Angeles city and county officials provided $100 and $200 gift cards to those who handed over unwanted firewarms during a gun buyback event in Wilmington on Saturday, March 4.
The buyback took place at the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, and was hosted by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Tim McOsker and LAPD Chief Michel Moore were also on hand for a press conference during the event.
Dozens of rifles, handguns and shotguns pile up in boxes during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Pistols, revolvers, and gun parts were put on display during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
LA County Sup. Janice Hahn, middle left, looks over a lower receiver for an AR-15 rifle that was turned in during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Numerous rifles that were turned in were displayed to the media during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
LA County Sup. Janice Hahn speaks to members of the media in front of a display of surrendered guns during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Councilmember Tim McOsker, left, and LAPD Chief Michael Moore, right speak to each other during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
(L-R) LAPD Chief Michael Moore, LAPD Detective Pat Hoffman, LA County Sup. Janice Hahn, Mayor Karen Bass, and Councilmember Tim McOsker look over various guns turned in during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
LAPD officers and detectives take a shotgun out of the bed of a pickup truck during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
(L-R) LAPD Chief Michael Moore, LAPD Detective Pat Hoffman, LA County Sup. Janice Hahn, Mayor Karen Bass, and Councilmember Tim McOsker look over various guns turned in during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Officials hold a press conference in front of a display of guns during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Mayor Karen Bass speaks to the media at a press conference during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
A detective hands a shotgun to another officer during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
LAPD Chief Michael Moore speaks at a press conference held during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
An officer takes a surrendered rifle to be process during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Detectives speak with a man who had turned in a shotgun during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Councilmember Tim McOsker speaks at a press conference during a gun buyback event in Wilmington, on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Officials gave folks $100 gift cards for handguns, shotguns and rifles. Those getting rid of ghost (unregistered) guns and assault weapons, as classifiedCalifornia, received $200 gift cards. The value of 3D-printed and handmade guns were evaluated on site.
The buyback event came on the heels of law enforcement seizing 82 guns following a three-year investigation into a Wilmington gang. Local and national law-enforcement agencies also reported the recent arrest of 18 people, and the seizure of 5,000 fentanyl pills, three kilograms of fentanyl, and several pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine in connection to the same investigation.
More than 40 search warrants were served during that investigation. Of the seized firearms, 40 were ghost guns and 20 were assault weapons, authorities said. Many were modified with with silencers and magazine extenders.
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