COLUMBIA, Feb 14: Police in South Carolina gave out roses on Valentine’s Day. All people had to do is turn in a gun.

Authorities ran the “Guns for Roses” programme on Saturday at two locations in the central part of the state.

Anyone who turned in a gun got a free rose and an electronics store gift card. A handgun got a 100 dollars gift card, while a rifle or shotgun nets a 50 dollars gift card.

Richland County sheriff’s spokesman Chris Cowan said there had been a great turnout at one Columbia location and deputies seized about 75 guns in the first 90 minutes.

He said there is no amnesty for gun owners.

The weapons were checked to see if they had been stolen and ballistics test would also be done.—AP