A new Tennessee law that took effect earlier this month would prevent judges from ordering law enforcement agencies to destroy seized weapons, legal blog The Commercial Appeal reports.
The National Rifle Association had urged legislators to pass the law, following public statements from Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton and other politicians that gun-reselling by agencies should be banned following news that re-sold guns were used in the Pentagon and Las Vegas courthouse shootings.
Confiscated guns could not be destroyed unless they are unsafe or inoperable. They must be either sold or retained for law enforcement use, under the March 3 law.
Shelby County (Tenn.) Sheriff Mark Luttrell said he has destroyed all guns used in crimes since 2006.
