Nearly 900 guns exchanged for gift cards in Calif.

ENCINITAS, Calif. - A guns-for-gift cards exchange hosted by the Encinitas Sheriff's Station in California netted nearly 900 guns and a live hand grenade Saturday, authorities said, reports the California News Service.

Participants turned in 899 handguns, shotguns and rifles, along with the grenade at the no questions asked exchange, held between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Mira Costa College San Elijo Campus in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, officials with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

Wal-Mart gift cards of $100 dollars were given in exchange for handguns and $150 cards for rifles, officials reportedly said. The sheriff's department and the San Diego County District Attorney's Office used money seized in connection with illegal activities to purchase the gift cards, authorities said, reports CNS.

Sheriff's officials said the goal of the exchange was to safely dispose of unwanted firearms that could accidentally hurt a child or be used in a crime. The collected weapons will be destroyed, sheriff's officials said.