EDITOR'S NOTE: The following info originally appeared in the LA Daily News.

April 10, 2009

Angelenos who turn in a gun to the police department -- regardless of whether the firearm has been used in a crime -- will receive a gift certificate as part of the city's gun buy-back program, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today.

On May 9, the Los Angeles Police Department will be at 20 locations throughout the city to accept guns in exchange for $100 and $200 gift cards.

LAPD officials do not plan to run ballistics tests on any of the collected firearms to match them up to unsolved crimes, in hopes that that will encourage Angelenos to participate in the program.

"This is an opportunity to make a real difference for our children and families. It's a chance to take matters into our own hands and prevent the next tragic shooting and the next unnecessary murder," Villaraigosa said.

The city has $70,000 for the gun buy-back program, and the goal is to collect as many guns as possible, the mayor said. The weapons that are bought back will be melted down and destroyed.

Vicky Lindsey with Project Cry No More said the program is an opportunity for the community to come together and understand that neighbors need to work together to curb gun and gang violence.

Lindsey's 19-year-old son was shot and killed in 1995, 12 days before his own son was born.

"To me, we all need to take responsibility so it's just not gang members, it's just not all of our kids were innocent," Lindsey said. "The problem is all of us."

The Rev. Jeff Carr, the deputy mayor who oversees the city's anti-gang initiatives, said Mother's Day weekend is a good time for young people to purge themselves of guns and turn away from violence.

"If you love your mother, if you love your neighborhood, if you love your friends, bring your gun in on Mother's Day weekend," Carr said. "There's no better way to honor your mother than to get rid of that gun that may be in your backpack, or may be in your pocket or you're hiding it under your bed. Get some money, get some cash, a gift card, and do something good with that."