Shelby County May Sell Confiscated Guns

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Shelby County Sheriff's officials have begun examining confiscated guns to determine which ones can be sold.

The department previously destroyed guns used as evidence in criminal cases, but a state statute that went into effect this month removes that option. It requires police to sell any confiscated guns that are in working condition and still have a readable serial number.

Sheriff Mark Luttrell and District Attorney Bill Gibbons said that they are trying to persuade legislators to reverse the statute.

Meanwhile, deputies tagged weapons Monday, put them into barrels and boxes and hauled them away from the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk's property room. The clerk keeps the guns until all appeals are exhausted in the cases, then gives them to the sheriff's office.