San Francisco, Dec 11 (IANS): San Francisco Mayor London Breed held a press conference to promote the United Playaz Gun Buy-back event scheduled to be held on Saturday.

The gun buy-back event provides a place for people to turn in their weapons, Xinhua news agency reported.

At the press conference on Thursday, Breed announced that the event will be set up in compliance with the Covid-19 health requirements.

Participants will remain in their vehicles as they drop off the guns, and United Playaz will ensure there is adequate space for walk-up participants to maintain at least six feet of distance from others, she said.

Face coverings will be required.

"Getting weapons off the street is essential, and events like this Gun Buy-Back provide a place for people to get guns out of their homes safely and legally," Breed said in her announcement.

"As we've been dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, we've also been seeing an increase in gun-related incidents throughout the US.

"The loss of life from gun violence has to stop," she added.

The San Francisco Police Department and United Playaz typically host gun buy-back events twice per year.

Following the collection of firearms, they are melted down and the parts are recycled to create jewellery and other goods that are sold to finance future gun buy-back events.

United Playaz is a violence prevention and youth development organization that has worked in San Francisco for over 20 years.

The Gun Buy-back program has operated since 2014 and has collected nearly 2,000 guns.

People can turn in their guns in exchange for $100 for a handgun and $200 for an assault weapon.