Gun buyback a success

Angelenos turned in more than 2,500 handguns, rifles and assault weapons during the city's second annual Mother's Day buyback program over the weekend, nearly 50 percent more than last year's take. Daily News.

Exchanged for $200,000 in gift cards from Ralphs, Mercury Insurance, KCBS (Channel 2), KCAL (Channel 9) and other corporate sponsors, the weapons will be melted down, with the metal donated to local artists.

"Promises made, promises kept," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said at a news conference at the Police Administration Building, where an array of weapons was spread out for the cameras.