New Tennessee Law Calls for Resale of Confiscated Weapons
A law that just passed the Tennessee legislature a few weeks ago is being criticized by the Memphis Mayor, among others, who is calling for repeal. The law simply calls for weapons seized by law enforcement to be sold rather than destroyed.
The law is being questioned after learning that in two recent and highly publicized fatal gun attacks in Las Vegas and Washington DC, the guns used were traced back to resale by the Memphis PD.
Prior to that law passing, confiscated weapons were most often destroyed. This practice began in Memphis in 2005 when the sheriff enacted the policy to eliminate guns that had already been used in crimes or carried by criminals.
According to this report from The Commercial Appeal, many have “philosophical concerns” over the thought of weapons like this ending up back on the street.
The new law is reportedly from the NRA who doesn’t see why the functioning weapons should be destroyed when they can be recirculated through dealers to law abiding citizens. Their position focuses on the fact that weapons are legal and the destruction of these firearms simply because of who owned them last is unnecessary.
In Tennessee we see changes to firearm laws on a nearly monthly basis. From weapons in businesses and parks to what happens to the weapons after they are confiscated, guns are a big deal here.
The laws and media coverage surrounding weapons laws, all seem to try and balance public safety with that tricky 2nd Amendment, the one that guarantees us the right to bear arms. While the U.S. Constitution guarantees that right, states have historically reserved the right to regulate it.
Laws about what types of weapons you can carry, how you can carry them, who can own them, and how they must be used vary from state to state.
In our state, there are numerous criminal offenses related to the possession and use of firearms. There is a whole list of weapons that are simply illegal and punishable by felony charges.
When you are facing weapons charges you need to speak with an experienced and aggressive defense attorney. The most common offense of Unlawful carrying of a weapon, a misdemeanor, is likely the least serious but can still result in several months behind bars. Call our lawyers for a consultation today.
