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L.A. gun buyback collects 2 rocket launchers, 75 assault weapons
Because of the shooting in Newtown, Conn., L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa moved up the annual "gun buyback" usually held in May.
/ CBS"Those are weapons of war, weapons of death," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said, according to the LA Times. "These are not hunting guns. These are not target guns. These are made to put high-velocity, extremely deadly, long-range rounds downrange as quickly as possible, and they have no place in our great city."
A total of 2,037 weapons were turned in Wednesday, up from last year's total of 1,673, the paper reports. Beck told the paper it was the most success the city's gun buyback program has ever seen.
The event was so popular that LAPD officials ran out of the gift cards they were using as an incentive, CBS Los Angeles reports.
The gun buyback program, which originated in 2009, was set to take place in May 2013 but was moved up several months in response to the school shooting in Newtown, Conn.
More on Crimesider
Dec. 27, 2012 - L.A. gun buyback gives grocery gift cards in exchange for firearms
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