UPDATE: Gun Buyback Ends Early - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

UDPATE: The City of Lansing's "Guns for Groceries" buyback program shut down an hour early, because police ran out of Meijer gift cards.

Officer Robert Merritt said he was surprised by the large turnout of people and called the program "highly successful." Now police are taking inventory on what kind of guns they collected. A preliminary count shows they took in about 90 firearms.

The buyback was scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Tabernacle of David Worship Center. It ended at 1:00 p.m.

The money put on the gift cards was provided by private donations.

Maria Hechanova will have more on this story today on 6 News at 6 p.m. and  11 p.m.

ORIGINAL POST: Lansing -- The City of Lansing's "Guns for Groceries" buyback program is underway.

So far, dozens of people have stopped by the parking lot at the Tabernacle of David Worship Center in Lansing to turn in their unwanted guns to police - no questions asked.

In return, police are giving those with working firearms a $100 gift card to Meijer that can only be used for groceries. An extra $50 will be given to those who turn in assault weapons.

Mayor Virg Bernero says the purpose of the program is to get guns off the streets. He says it'll help make Lansing safer and possibly prevent an accidental shooting.

The gun buyback ends today at 2:00 p.m.

All firearms collected by the program will be secured by the LPD Quartermaster and destroyed.

Maria Hechanova will have details on this story today on 6 News at 6 p.m. & 11 p.m.