Legislature(2005 - 2006)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/27/2006 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SR6 | |
| SB291 | |
| SB315 | |
| SB274 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 231 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 291 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 315 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 274 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 274(STA)
"An Act relating to the disposition of forfeited, surplus,
and unclaimed firearms by the state."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
Senator Dyson, the bill's sponsor, informed the Committee that
this bill would allow the State to sell confiscated but legal
firearms for "a reasonable return". This would be contrary to
previous [unspecified] administrations' actions of destroying
such items. Both the Department of Public Safety and the
Department of Administration support the proposed disposal
methodology.
10:01:33 AM
Senator Dyson stated that, while the majority of confiscated
guns could be legally sold to the public, some guns are of a
class that could only be sold to people holding Class 3 Firearm
Dealer licenses. The "very few" firearms that are illegal for
anyone to own, primarily due to such things as their barrel
being cut off or their serial number being defaced, would be
disassembled. The illegal portions would be destroyed and
remaining legal components would be available to the public.
Senator Dyson also noted the bill would continue to allow the
Department of Public Safety to negotiate with firearm dealers
for "a trade-in allowance" for new equipment in exchange for the
confiscated firearm inventory. This practice would continue with
the new provision that an annual report of the value of the
trade-in items and the items received via that transaction be
provided.
Senator Dyson communicated that this legislation would also
address the liability issue that was the basis of previous
administrations' argument to destroy confiscated firearms. It
would clearly denote that "the State has no more liability on
selling of a firearm than they do on a pick-up truck or a dump
truck or anything else that they surplus".
Co-Chair Green recalled the liability issue being addressed
previously. However, the effort must have been in the form of a
resolution.
Senator Dyson affirmed.
10:04:06 AM
Senator Olson asked whether there has been any opposition to the
bill.
Senator Dyson responded in the negative.
Senator Olson specified that his question primarily pertained to
the position of firearm manufacturers.
Senator Dyson stated that firearm manufacturers have not weighed
in on the issue. This legislation would allow the general public
to participate in the purchase of these items rather than
continuing to limit it to individuals holding dealer licenses,
as is the current practice.
Senator Dyson shared the understanding that, in the past, a few
dealers colluded to hold prices down by agreeing beforehand as
to who would bid on certain parcels. As a result, the State was
receiving "significantly less than the real value of the
weapons". He reiterated that this allegation has not been
confirmed. Nonetheless, allowing more people to participate in
the firearm auction would enhance the State's ability to
generate additional value from the surplus firearm effort.
10:05:33 AM
Senator Bunde moved to report the bill from Committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, CS SB 274 (STA) was REPORTED from
Committee with previous $22,500 fiscal note #1 dated February
23, 2006 from the Department of Administration and a new zero
fiscal note dated March 31, 2006 from the Department of Public
Safety.
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