Selling of confiscated guns generates big cash for Richmond County Sheriff’s Office

AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – Guns are a concern for many in Augusta, but now they are enhancing the Sheriff’s Office budget.

“Being proactive and getting those guns sold and out of here to some type of manufacturer for resale somewhere else I think is a positive,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.

Commissioners approving the disposal of firearms confiscated by the Sheriff’s Office.

A total of 1,735 handguns and rifles, were auctioned off.

The high bid, a Vermont company, for a total of $267,000 dollars, or about $154 per firearm.

“Seems kind of low for what they are getting I would have loved to have seen a local dealer have the opportunity to purchase them at the same price,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Brandon Garrett.

In the past confiscated weapons were destroyed by the Sheriff’s Office but state law no longer allows it.

“What I would like to do with them  that is burn them of get rid of them but Georgia law won’t allow us to do that, so I guess getting something for them is better than nothing for them,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

The sale means a more than a quarter million-dollar boost for the Sheriff’s office budget.

“I believe anything we can do generate revenue and keep our city safe is a good thing as long as we dot all of our I’s and cross all of our t’s,” said commissioner Johnson.

Guns can generate issues for the Sheriff’s Office but now they are also generating cash.

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