Purchase Confiscated Firearms From WV Police?

[mister_murphy]

Around here, some agencies have figured out that soliciting bids from dealers for the whole lot will net as much or more money than an auction.

While an auction can generate a bigger gross, (people will bid amazing amounts for junk) by the time the agency figures in their costs (officers detailed for inventory, transport and on site security before and during the auction) and the auction company takes their cut, it's just more cost effective and a lot less hassle.

Thats what I have seen in NC with agencies that get a number of firearms eligible for sale. They have a large distributor (with a FFL) buy the entire batch in exchange for store credit. Prices are typically low from what I have seen, but there again, its a ready, legal buyer, who wont complain (unless there is a contract violation).

Smaller departments here tend to cut them up, as trying to sell them may cost what the few firearm(s) would bring in or more.

 

[rduchateau2954]

Pssh, all they need is a guy like me. I will sell them all on gunbroker for them. Of course I will test fire them all first.

They wouldn't even have to put me on payroll, just pay me in guns.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Local department contracts with an auction company, they cut the city a deal and collect the standard buyers premium.

All the money from the auctions and other property dispersal goes into the training budget, to the point that it help fund an academy to fill vacant funded positions...
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So, which is the better "public good"
A Police academy (they already had candidates from prior cycles) to fill vacant and funded spots

a trash can of scrap metal (BTW, at some point the property guy got smart, they ATF 'destroy' the frame and sell off the parts kit for the one that they do destroy)

 

[DurangoKid]

When it comes down to a citizens rights or the political career of a public servant who wins? The citizen will not win. As posted my career would be ruined if one of these weapons were used in a crime. I think that answers the question. It is better to melt them down than to sell them to honest gun owners.

 

[Shadow 7D]

OK durango
why doesn't the agency strip for parts, demil frames and sell the parts to somewhere like Numrichs?

 

[CZguy]

Shadow 7D has made a good point. That would be an option that would be good for everyone.

 

[DurangoKid]

That would not be PC. These people believe firearms are evil in any form. The career political hacks would not be connected to selling gun parts.

 

[Shadow 7D]

DO push it to the hacks
it's not the 'public'
point out that you are selling scrap metal to a scrap metal dealer (numrichs/Egunparts - 98% chance they are OUT OF STATE) who pays close to top dollar (wholesale)

and that is MONEY from trash, now come on and tell me that a hack wouldn't love to run back like a good lacky and tell their 'patron' they found a way to save money without messing with anybody

'by selling trash, previously thrown away'

 

[wideym]

A local gunsmith worked out an agreement with the PD here years ago to Demil their inventory of seized guns at no cost, if he could strip them down to the reciever first. It was a good deal for the city since they were not out any money and the "gun" was destroyed. It probably helped that the gunsmith's partner was also a Lt. in the sheriffs dept, although most of the guns were junk to begin with: Rem.742 with cut off barrels and stocks, Rohm .22s, Lorcins, Jennings, single shot shotguns cut down ect...

The gunshop I work at recently bought a batch of guns sold by a local small town PD. Once again mostly Rohms, Lorcins, Jennings, quite a few Keltec .32s, beat up sporterized enfields, Marlin model 60s, and the like. There was only one "assault weapon" in the bunch, a fairly nice Norinco SKS missing the gas tube, piston, plunger and spring. We had to send a couple of guns back to the PD, since they didn't check that the serial numbers had been ground off (a Ruger bolt action and a sporterized Enfield).

 

[Uncle Richard]

thanks guys and gals.