Lake Charles police turn in confiscated guns

[Drizzt]

Lake Charles police turn in confiscated guns
The Associated Press

June 5, 2004

LAKE CHARLES (AP) — Guns that were confiscated and later distributed to Lake Charles police officers are the subject of a joint investigation by federal agents and police.

So far, police have turned in more than 100 handguns and rifles that were confiscated in criminal cases.

During a news conference Thursday, Police Chief Don Dixon said an investigation began last month when he was contacted by an officer who said several weapons had been taken from his home during a burglary.

One of the weapons was a modified shotgun known as a “street sweeper,†which has been a prohibited weapon for about

10 years, Dixon said. The officer also said he had a gun that had been confiscated and was given to him by the former police chief, Dixon said.

The street sweeper was recovered during an investigation into the missing weapons that has resulted in 11 arrests on drugs and theft charges, Dixon said.

The police chief said the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had joined the investigation.

“I told them I wanted a complete, thorough investigation and to leave no stone unturned no matter what. That is being done as we speak,†Dixon said.

Dixon said he learned that confiscated weapons given to the department through a court order had been issued to different officers by former Police Chief Sam Ivey for personal use.

http://www.acadiananow.com/news/html/9BE1936E-7F17-436B-B28E-CA93DC0EE3E5.shtml

 

[Henry Bowman]

Some of the spoils of the War on Drugs gets spread around to the soldiers, not just the king and his generals.

 

[Desertdog]

This is one way to be as well armed as the BGs, VERY Cheaply.
I like the idea.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Somehow I don't have too much of a problem with LEO's getting the spoils of the Drug War if the legitimate owner of a (likely previously stolen) weapon is not contactable.

Ever been to a drug dealer siezed property auction? Pretty interesting items there occasionally.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[ID_shooting]

I agree, iether sell the guns, give them to officers as tenure or performance presents, or auction them off to the public, but by no means should they ever be cut up!

 

[hammer4nc]

NFA violation? If there didn't exist a corrupt double standard, the officer would face federal charges under "Operation Safe Streets". As it is, I'd wager he'll get a one week suspension, and a reprimand in his jacket. Of course, I'd prefer that gun laws be repealed, instead.

 

[Standing Wolf]

More Great Victories in the famous war on (some) drugs!

 

[firearms_instructor]

Teach the cops to steal...

Civil asset forfeiture is just another form of government-sponsored theft, just like the income tax and the property tax.

Once you get the cops used to the idea that it's OK to take someone else's belongings because that person was breaking the law (never mind that it was a totally bogus law in the first place), how long do you think it'll take before we're no better than Mexico, or Argentina, or any other banana republic?

"Thou shalt not steal". I'm not a Bible thumper, but clearly, keeping your effing hands off someone else's property seems to me like a good basic cornerstone of ANY moral system, and it's one that our governments have forgotten.

I'm an American, and I don't buy the War on Drugs. I say BS. It's just another excuse for the gov't to steal property and curtail rights.

Got integrity?

<edited>
BTW, I've BEEN to Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Nigeria, and Venezuela, so I know EXACTLY what it's like when the gov't/police are used to stealing people's property. I've also been to Saudi Arabia, an interesting contrast because over there theft is punished by amputating the right hand at the wrist. I don't want to live in Saudi, but the relative absence of theft is a great breath of fresh air.

 

[ksnecktieman]

I do not think any individual should be allowed to profit from the siezure or confiscation of any property the government undertakes. If you make gifts of the property seized to the police officers that confiscated them they will soon be out of control, and worse than criminals.


Since this is the high road I will keep all further thoughts to myself. Feel free to expand that statement as wickedly as you can.

 

[CannibalCrowley]

So the weapons are illegal for a "private citizen" to own but and LEO can own it for personal use with no questions asked. This literally screams, "we're elite and hence above the common man!" This is certainly a step in the wrong direction. What's next, LEOs being allowed to divvy up other illegal goods?

How about distributing other goods that are confiscated because of their links to crime? Oh you had a little too much to drink the other night and drove home, well Officer Smuckatelli's bonus for catching you is that he gets to keep your car and the objects therein.

Such actions would surely be another step towards the end of America's "awkward stage".

 

[Deavis]

Civil asset forfeiture is just another form of government-sponsored theft, just like the income tax and the property tax.

Wow, you read my mind. I love it when people say, "I got $500 dollars back this year, I didn't have to pay taxes. WHAT?!? They jacked you every two weeks, how could you forget about that! Sigh...

Seriously though, I'm curious if any officers will be prosecuted for having the weapons. Surely they are not exempt because these were not duty weapons, i.e. street sweeper. What do you guys think?

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Only the police and military can be trusted with guns