Dec 15, 2007 8:24 pm US/Pacific
Gun Exchange Held In Compton
COMPTON, Calif. (CBS) ―
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The gun exchange in Compton will run through Sunday in the Ralph's parking lot, 280 E. Compton Blvd.
CBS
In an effort to reduce violence, 156 guns were collected by sheriff's representatives in Compton during the first three days of an annual exchange program, officials said on Saturday.
People turning in guns to sheriff's personnel receive $50 gift cards for use at Best Buy, Home Depot, Ralphs or Target. Gift cards worth $100 were given for each of the first 50 guns turned in.
This year's gun exchange began Thursday and continues Sunday in the Ralph's parking lot, 280 E. Compton Blvd.
About 400 guns were surrendered at a similar exchange in 2005, according to Sgt. Rich Pena of the sheriff's Compton Station. In 2006, 56 guns were collected.
However, some have questioned the program's effectiveness.
In a 2006 interview, the executive director of a political committee dedicated to preserving the rights of gun owners and electing pro-law enforcement candidates called the guns-for-gift card exchanges "nothing more than a really nice, feel good measure to try to make people feel like this is a positive step. But the fact of the matter is, there is probably minus zero number of criminals who are going to give up their firearms in order to get a gift card."
"Unfortunately, what will happen is the same thing with all of these types of programs. People who have pretty much useless firearms, many of them will not function or are so old (they are ) unsafe, worthless pieces of junk that will be turned in for a gift card," said Sam Paredes of Gun Owners of California. "Who can hardly blame somebody for trading in a piece of junk for something of value?"
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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