More law enforcement agencies stop reselling guns to prevent use in crimes

Law enforcement agencies across the country are reevaluating their policies on reselling used guns after a joint investigation by The Trace, CBS News, and Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting uncovered disturbing trends. The investigation, which was published last year, revealed that over 52,000 former police guns had been linked to robberies, domestic violence incidents, homicides, and other crimes between 2006 and 2022.

In response to these findings, more than a dozen law enforcement agencies have either stopped reselling their used guns or have pledged to reconsider the practice. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued a warning to law enforcement agencies against reselling guns due to the high frequency with which former police weapons are used in violent crimes.

Following the investigation, 21 departments were contacted, with four confirming that they had ceased reselling weapons. These departments include the Cincinnati, Columbus, and Sacramento police departments, as well as the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey. Additionally, seven more agencies stated that they would review their policies in light of the ATF’s recommendation.

Budgetary concerns were cited as a reason for some agencies continuing to resell guns. Mark Kennedy, chief of the Quincy Police Department in Massachusetts, expressed concern about the possibility of his officers’ used guns ending up in crimes but mentioned that changing the policy was cost-prohibitive.

In Kentucky, a state law mandates that agencies sell guns they no longer need, including departmental weapons and those seized in connection with crimes. This has led to situations where guns resold by law enforcement end up in the hands of criminals in other states.

While trade-ins can save agencies money in the short term, researchers point out that the financial burden of the violence caused by resold police guns falls on taxpayers. A single homicide can cost over $17 million when factoring in emergency response, crime scene cleanup, lost wages, and the cost of incarcerating suspects.

Former ATF special agent Scot Thomasson emphasized the risk of taxpayer-funded guns ending up in criminal hands, calling it “just plain wrong.” The ATF has identified over 1,000 former police guns recovered in homicides and another 2,000 confiscated from convicted felons between 2019 and 2023.

Despite the warnings and concerns raised by experts, some argue that destroying used police guns wouldn’t necessarily prevent violence, as firearms are already easily accessible to the public. However, others stress the importance of erring on the side of caution when it comes to policies that could potentially contribute to gun violence.

As law enforcement agencies grapple with the implications of reselling used guns, the debate continues on how best to balance budgetary constraints with public safety concerns. The decision to trade in or destroy old firearms ultimately carries significant ethical and practical considerations that require careful deliberation.