Sheriff’s Office to Hold Seized Gun Auction
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Here’s a look at some of the seized guns that will go up for auction by the Sheriff’s Department next week.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office needs to clear out all the forfeited firearms in their gun cabinet, and local gun dealers will have the chance to buy them at auction on Thursday, Sept. 28.
The auction will take place in the exhibit hall at the Fayette County Fairgrounds starting at 10 a.m. Lee Fritsch will serve as auctioneer. Buyers must register beforehand, and they must hold a federal firearms license (FFL).
“We’re doing this by the law and under the direction of the District Attorney Peggy Supak,” said Sgt. Ron Naumann of the Sheriff’s Office.
Naumann said the guns come from seizures made during criminal cases. It is illegal to possess a firearm in the commission of a felony. When the Sheriff’s Office seizes a gun during a criminal arrest, they are placed in a safe inside the Sheriff’s Office while the case makes its way through the courts. If the defendants are found guilty the guns will be forfeited to the Sheriff’s Office.
Naumann said more than 120 guns will be offered for sale at the auction. Most of them are handguns, he said, including many Glocks and Sig Sauers. The auction will include several shotguns and rifles, including some AK and AR-style semi-automatics, including one Colt AR.
“This money will be used to support the Sheriff’s Office,” said Lt. David Beyer of the Sheriff’s Office. “As many people know, there was a shortfall in this year’s budget. Hopefully we can make that up by selling stuff like this.”
Anyone interested in bidding can register early by contacting the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office in person and providing the following: a valid copy of their FFL along with valid identification such as a drivers license, US Passport or copy of a State Sales Tax Certificate. Buyers may also register between 8 and 10 a.m. on Sept. 28 before the auction starts.
Staff from the Fayette County Auditor’s Office will be on hand to accept payment in US currency, cashier’s check, money order or business check. No credit cards will be accepted.
Naumann said the auction will not be open to the general public.