Guns for groceries offered at 4 Los Angeles locations

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Police Department held a gun buyback event at four different Southland locations Saturday.

In exchange for each handgun, shotgun and rifle, people were given a $100 Ralph's grocery store gift card.

A $200 gift card was offered for each assault weapon as classified in California.

Guns were surrendered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at:

• Los Angeles Sports Arena, 3939 S. Figueroa St., in central Los Angeles



• Park and Ride parking lot at 1300 W. Pacific Coast Highway in Wilmington



• Parking lot at 2379 W. Washington Blvd. in West Los Angeles



• Van Nuys Masonic Temple, 14750 Sherman Way

Since 2009, the city has bought back nearly 12,000 guns as part of an initiative of the Mayor's Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development, according to the mayor's office.

In total, more than 257 weapons were surrendered in Van Nuys by the early afternoon.

City News Service contributed to this report.