The weekend's gun buyback program resulted in more than 1,100 firearms being turned in, bringing to 11,151 the total number of weapons turned in during the eight years it has been operated under Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Villaraigosa praised the public response to the program, funded this year with $250,000 from the city's general fund, as the mayor lamented the lack of action by Congress in toughening the nation's gun laws.
"We will not let inaction in Washington stop us from taking action here in Los Angeles to get guns off our streets," Villaraiogsa said.
In past years, Villaraigosa has raised money from private sources to fund the program, which provides gift cards to the Ralphs Markets for those who turn in guns.
This was the second buyback held in recent months. Villaraigosa sponsored one after the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn.
In all, this past weekend saw 516 handguns, 381 rifles and 49 assault weapons turned in.
The gun buyback also kicks off the city's summer anti-gang programs, including the Summer Night Lights program at city parks.
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