For decades, weapons confiscated by the police in Texas were supposed to be used for law enforcement purposes — or else destroyed.
Starting next month, police departments across the state will be allowed to sell some of them.
House Bill 1421, which passed during the last legislative session, formally permits law enforcement officials to sell found or unclaimed weapons to licensed firearms dealers.
They can also sell confiscated weapons that are left unclaimed after cases that were never prosecuted or did not result in a conviction.
In cases that do result in a conviction, police departments keep the firearms as evidence in case they are needed for appeals.
In many rural towns, sheriffs’ sales of seized property are common sources of income, said Alice Tripp, the legislative director of the Texas State Rifle Association.
After the law takes effect on Sept. 1, law enforcement agencies will be able to sell confiscated guns to licensed weapons dealers. The proceeds will first cover outstanding court or auctioneer’s fees; the remainder will go to the police department that seized the weapon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/25/us/under-a-new-law-the-police-can-act-as-gun-dealers.html?ref=us