Melted-down firearms confiscated in LA County to become symbols of peace

Melted-down firearms confiscated in LA County to become symbols of peace

July 19, 2018

Thousands of illegal and confiscated firearms collected from throughout Los Angeles County were destroyed Thursday, July 19, at the annual "Gun Melt" at Gerdau Steel Mill in Rancho Cucamonga.

The steel mill and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department teamed up for the event.

The weapons were collected by the Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department of Homeland Security, and the Bell, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, La Verne, Long Beach, Pasadena, Pasadena City College, San Marino, South Pasadena and UCLA police departments.

Here's a look at some key numbers surrounding the event:

Number of years in a row the Gun Melt has taken place.

Number of firearms melted Thursday.

Number of firearms destroyed in the past 25 years in this annual event.

Amount, in pounds, of 12,500 weapons melted down by Gerdau in 2018 at 22 other such events.