As I mentioned before, I think they've got it backwards. The second priority should take precedence. If that were corrected, it wouldn't matter so much what the police did with their confiscated guns. The problem is the impossibility of tracing the entire history of a gun which turns up at a murder scene.First, it is absurd for police departments to put guns back into circulation. The possibility of making a little bit of money from the sale of illegal weapons or swapping them for guns more suitable for law enforcement is not worth the cost in lives and safety. Police departments should put a halt to this practice; legally confiscated guns should be destroyed after they are no longer needed as evidence -- a measure endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Second, there are steps the Obama administration could take immediately to reduce the danger to law enforcement officers and other law-abiding citizens. Legislation is needed to close the gun-show loophole to require background checks for all purchasers.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
Hello. And Bye.
ReplyDeleteWP: "The possibility of making a little bit of money from the sale of illegal weapons or swapping them for guns more suitable for law enforcement is not worth the cost in lives and safety"
ReplyDeleteThe weapon is not “illegal” once the police have it. It was only illegal when in the possession of the drug dealer. Again, the destruction policy is only good at reducing guns once you’ve banned gun sales. Until then, they’re only feeding the gun industry. Hidden sinister plan maybe? Or not so hidden?
-TS
First, it is absurd for police departments to put guns back into circulation.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really absurd is the shoestring budgets our police forces are run on. Budget cuts because of the recession makes an already bad situation much worse. "Making a little money off of the sale" probably translates to an extra officer or two out on the streets.
By the way, I like the instant comments. Bravo Mikeb!
RuffRidr said, "
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I like the instant comments. Bravo Mikeb!"
I thought over the weekend Blogger was losing some comments while they were awaiting moderation, so I turned it off. I much prefer it this way too. Let's see how it goes.
I think the author is missing something. I doubt that police departments simply throw the firearms out to the highest bidder unchecked (or at least they shouldn't). there needs to be regulation on who they may sell them to. Personally, I believe that should be a distributor with an FFL.
ReplyDeleteBut destroying something only because it was once used in crime makes no sense. We don't demolish houses because a drug deal took place there, nor should we destroy gardening tools because they were used to plant marijuana