File photo: CGTN

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- San Francisco Mayor London Breed encouraged local residents to turn in their guns and stem gun violence at a press conference Tuesday, which was held to announce an upcoming semi-annual gun buyback event slated for later this week.

Breed called on San Franciscans to hand over their firearms for a cash incentive, including 100 U.S. dollars for a handgun and 200 dollars for an assault weapon.

"We've made great progress reducing gun-related violence in San Francisco, but any loss of life or injury from guns is unacceptable and has to stop," she said.

Scheduled for Saturday, the event has operated since 2014, and is so far responsible for the recovery of over 1,000 firearms.

Every weapon collected during the event is melted down and recycled to create jewelry and other goods that are sold to finance future gun buyback events.