Rocket Launchers Among the Weapons Collected During LA's Gun Buyback

Owners wanted gift cards instead

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Authorities collected 2,037 firearms, including 75 assault weapons, and two anti-tank rocket launchers during L.A.'s annual gun buyback event.

"Those are weapons of war, weapons of death," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said of the rockets and assault weapons.

"These are made to put high-velocity, extremely deadly, long-range rounds downrange as quickly as possible, and they have no place in our great city," he added.

The buyback, which was held on Wednesday in South L.A. and Van Nuys, was pushed up several months in the wake of the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut.

People were invited to surrender firearms anonymously — with no questions asked — in exchange for Ralph's gift cards.

At a news conference on Thursday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa praised the success of the program, which collected 400 more weapons than last year.