Recession era economics: L.A. cops collect 1,700 guns; run out of gift cards

So what do you do when you put out a call for guns in exchange for gift cards during a recession but run out of gift cards in the first two-hours of the event?

Call in the calvary.

Los Angeles' citywide gun buyback program was called an unexpected success after nearly 1,700 firearms were collected Saturday from owners who'd been promised anonymity, "no questions asked" and - very important - $100 gift cards.

In a way, the effort proved too successful: So many people showed up at collection sites with handguns and rifles in their trunks that organizers ran out of the Ralphs and Visa gift cards in the first two hours.

Some people went ahead and turned in weapons without the financial incentive. But an untold number of drivers left in a huff.