Sheriff Jim McDonnell Oversees 24th Annual Crime Gun Destructi… Sheriff Jim McDonnell Oversees 24th Annual Crime Gun Destruction at Gerdau Steel Mill; Over 4,900 Weapons Transformed into Steel Rebar for New Roads, Freeways and BuildingsOn Wednesday, July 19, 2017, Sheriff Jim McDonnell announced the destruction of 4,971 weapons confiscated within in Los Angeles County. This action comes typically in July, in compliance with California Penal Code 18005(c), which calls for weapons unable to be sold to the public or returned to their owners, to be destroyed.The weapons included in this destruction will be repurposed for good: Melted into steel reinforcing bar, better-known as ‘rebar,’ and transformed into elements of construction for upgrades in freeways and bridges in Arizona, California and Nevada. With a total of 14,700 pounds, the weapons were melted today and will be used for upgrading our roads and highways in the future.“The collection of weapons here today can be credited to the solid efforts of law enforcement officers throughout Los Angeles County,” said Sheriff McDonnell. “These weapons will never be on our streets unlawfully in the hands of criminals. They will not be used to commit a crime or used to harm our residents.”Annually, Gerdau Steel Mill, located in Rancho Cucamonga, generously donates its furnace, equipment and personnel to convert these weapons into steel rebar. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works also donates the trucks every year which transport the weapons to the Mill. “Gerdau is committed to promoting safety at our steel mill and in our community, and our continuing partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reflects that principle,” said Chris Ervin, Vice President West Coast Operations. “As California’s largest recycler, Gerdau will transform these weapons into environmentally friendly seismic steel rebar that will help improve transportation, commerce and construction across our state.”“Every day that an illegal weapon is taken off the street is a good day and helps deter senseless acts of violence against citizens,” said Inglewood Police Chief Mark Fronterotta.This year, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and 14 participating agencies contributed confiscated weapons to the annual destruction: Arcadia Police Department, Bell Police Department, Bell Gardens Police Department, Downey Police Department, Hermosa Beach Police Department, Inglewood Police Department, La Verne Police Department, Long Beach Police Department, Los Angeles Superior Court, San Marino Police Department, Santa Monica Police Department, Sierra Madre Police Department, South Pasadena Police Department, and the Whittier Police Department. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: 2,778 Handguns: 1,887 Long guns: 891 Outside Agencies: 2,193 Handguns: 1,633 Long Guns: 560———————————————-TOTAL GUNS DISPOSED 4,971 For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Nicole Nishida at 323-810-1973, or the Sheriff’s Information Bureau at 213-229-1700. For information on behalf of Gerdau Long Steel North America, please contact Michael Fisher, Gerdau Rancho Cucamonga Steel Mill Spokesman, at 909-234-3593 or mfisher@oprusa.com Posted by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday, July 19, 2017

“These weapons will never be on our streets unlawfully in the hands of criminals,” said Sheriff Jim McDonnell as the guns were melted at a Rancho Cucamonga steel mill.

The guns, collected across Los Angeles County by 14 different departments included 2,778 from the LASD and 2,193 from outside agencies. Among the total destroyed in the 24th annual event were 3,520 pistols and revolvers as well as 1,451 rifles and shotguns.

“The collection of weapons here today can be credited to the solid efforts of law enforcement officers throughout Los Angeles County,” McDonnell said. “They will not be used to commit a crime or used to harm our residents.”

The Gerdau Steel Mill converts the reclaimed steel into rebar while the guns are brought to the plant by trucks donated by Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

The images released by LASD show an accumulation of various firearms with a few notable collectibles including a 1980’s Franchi Law-12 shotgun and an 1880’s British Martini-Henry balanced against more contemporary guns such as an IWI Tavor and Taurus Judge. Many of the guns appeared to be in poor or broken condition.

Under California law, guns seized or collected by law enforcement that cannot be returned to their owners can be sold to the public or destroyed.