A Shame

[Tennessee_Ted]

I represent folks accused of crimes. I had a case this week where a gal was alleged to have been in a car with a felon and some handguns. According to the arrest warrant, the officers recovered "a Colt Commander 9mm, an Astra .380, and a German Luger 9mm."

Unless they were stolen and the true owner can be found, those fine pieces are likely destined for the smelter.

 

[hso]

Most departments in TN sell firearms after they're released from evidence.
What county/city is this in?

 

[Tennessee_Ted]

Chattanooga. A lot of the rural jurisdictions surrounding Chattanooga auction, but I had a court officer claim to me that Chattanooga scraps. Here's hoping he's wrong.

 

[red04montels]

Wow, that sucks.... doesn't sound like some guns that a felon could afford either..

 

[TCB in TN]

Our local SD, has an auction at a local gun show each year. It is a shame that some department waste so many wonderful pcs though.

 

[Tennessee_Ted]

Somewhat Relieved

Well, I ought not go shooting off at the mouth without verifying what I've been told.

Apparently, Tennessee passed a law a couple years ago requiring that all seized weapons either be sold or used for law enforcement purposes.

Now, I need to see if I can figure out where Chattanooga sells theirs.

 

[Warp]

Wow, that sucks.... doesn't sound like some guns that a felon could afford either..

There is nothing that says felons don't have money.

Have you looked at how many things are felonies these days?

 

[red04montels]

Warp, no need to get upset.

It was a generalization that most felons wouldn't go on to buy such an expensive set of guns. That's not to say that this is the case for all felons.

 

[hso]

Tennessee passed a law a couple years ago requiring that all seized weapons either be sold or used for law enforcement purposes.

Yep, we put an end to the waste it represents to taxpayers by prohibiting destruction of firearms, BUT there is nothing that requires a department to sell them. They may store them, in any condition.

 

[Twiki357]

The same here in Arizona. It just went into effect July 1st. Law enforcement is required to sell all confiscated guns to FFL’s. My local pawn shop just received a shipment of 100 guns. So far, the best of what he’s put out (About 25) is a Taurus 38 snub nose.

 

[MedWheeler]

Probably the best outcome would be that the guns are determined to have been stolen, and are returned to their owner(s.)

But, maybe I'm dreaming..

 

[HexHead]

Gov. Bredesen signed a law in 2009 that was supposed to prevent that.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Perhaps they'll ask the two where the guns came from.

 

[tomrkba]

Why were the guns confiscated? If the female owned the guns, then how can the police take the guns?

 

[gamestalker]

I'm asking the same question, why were the firearms confiscated? I live in Az., so I know laws are different to some extent, but, if I were to have a convicted felon in my car would my guns be confiscated, just because?

I'm going to research this further, both in Ten. and in my state of Az..

GS

 

[Gottahaveone]

Why were the guns confiscated? If the female owned the guns, then how can the police take the guns?

Pure speculation here, but I'm willing to bet that the first words out of her mouth were along the lines of "What guns? I didn't know there were any guns in this car, I'm just the passenger he picked up 5 minutes ago..."

That kinda rules out turning them over to her as the owner.....

 

[tomrkba]

Gottahaveone...you are probably right. Too many people believe that talking with the police will result in the situation going their way.

 

[rhinoh]

So, IF the police sell confiscated guns that were reported stolen- how is that info cleared out of databases so the purchaser doesn't encounter problems down the road someday?
Some scenarios might include the rightful owner is now deceased or now lives somewhere he can't own said gun, or he can't be found. Or sometimes guns are recovered, and sold before the original owner even knows they were stolen.

 

[slumlord44]

I would think that the first thing a police department would do with a confiscated gun would to check to see it had been stolen.

 

[medalguy]

You'd think that, but not always.