Law enforcement officers may be illegally selling guns, ATF says

RicInOR · Apr 13, 2017

Law enforcement officers may be illegally selling guns, ATF says

The memo from Eric Harden, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Los Angeles Field Division special agent in charge, describes the finding as an "emerging problem" and expresses concern about "the growing trend of law enforcement officials engaging in the business of unlicensed firearms dealing."

No_Regerts · Apr 13, 2017

I wonder if its on trade ins? A local small dept liquidated all their P220s. Hmmm.

UserNameInUse · Apr 13, 2017

No, the CA roster laws exempt LEOs. They can buy off roster guns and re-sell them as used, all legal according to CA. A Sig P938 purchased through an LEO costs over $1K.

majorsmackdown · Apr 13, 2017

Cops get discounts, and can pass those savings onto themselves when they resale.. The goal is to "educate not investigate".. What more needs to be said... there is definitealy an US vs THEM culture with police.

Xaevian · Apr 13, 2017

It seems fairly California specific as a result of their draconian gun regs. I think most "LE only" firearms elsewhere are legal for the general public to own, but I may be mistaken. The issue in most areas is usually the generous LE discount or voucher provided that creates the profit incentive in the resale, which creates the business of selling firearms. That can be minimized with better internal oversight in an agency. CA has exceptions in their restricted firearms laws for LE officers and allowances for them to sell those normally disallowed firearms that is exacerbating the issue by creating even higher profit incentives.

The Heretic · Apr 13, 2017

"no special treatment"

Sure seems like they are letting them off easy - I am pretty sure if they discovered civilians doing the same thing they would be marching them off to prison tout suite

DuneHopper · Apr 13, 2017

Xaevian said:
It seems fairly California specific as a result of their draconian gun regs. I think most "LE only" firearms elsewhere are legal for the general public to own, but I may be mistaken. The issue in most areas is usually the generous LE discount or voucher provided that creates the profit incentive in the resale, which creates the business of selling firearms. That can be minimized with better internal oversight in an agency. CA has exceptions in their restricted firearms laws for LE officers and allowances for them to sell those normally disallowed firearms that is exacerbating the issue by creating even higher profit incentives.

I actually have an LE issue P229 40sw and even talked with OSP about it to be sure, no problem at least when I acquired back in 2007. Of course now the OSP knows I have one but never have heard anything from anyone and they show me as the legal owner of it. I do not like gun registration but I think when these are sold thats kinda what happens is a record of the buyer. Been offered allot for the pistol wont sell not for sale. PS. I bought it from the officer that had it as his service weapon. Figured best be open and up front when I got it so no surprises later.