Confiscación y disposición de armas de fuego en Washington

Explicación Simple

Si la policía encuentra un arma que no debería tener una persona, puede quitarla. Luego, dependiendo de la situación, el arma puede ser destruida o vendida. Si es legal, la policía puede quedarse con algunas.

Es como cuando encuentras un juguete que no pertenece a tu hijo y decides guardarlo. Si el juguete es peligroso, lo tiras. Si es seguro, puedes regalarlo o quedártelo.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es detenido por tener un arma que no está registrada. La policía se la quita y, después de investigar, determina que el arma es ilegal. La policía debe destruirla, pero también puede conservar algunas armas legales para su uso.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Proceeds of any auction less costs, including actual costs of storage and sale, shall be forwarded to the firearms range account established in RCW 79A.25.210.(c) Antique firearms and firearms recognized as curios, relics, and firearms of particular historical significance by the United States treasury department *bureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms are exempt from destruction and shall be disposed of by auction or trade to licensed dealers.(d) Firearms in the possession of the Washington state patrol on or after May 7, 1993, that are judicially forfeited and no longer needed for evidence, or forfeited due to a failure to make a claim under RCW 63.35.020, must be disposed of as follows: (i) Firearms illegal for any person to possess must be destroyed; (ii) the Washington state patrol may retain a maximum of ten percent of legal firearms for agency use; and (iii) all other legal firearms must be auctioned or traded to licensed dealers. The Washington state patrol may retain any proceeds of an auction or trade.(3) The court shall order the firearm returned to the owner upon a showing that there is no probable cause to believe a violation of subsection (1) of this section existed or the firearm was stolen from the owner or the owner neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission involving the firearm which resulted in its forfeiture.(4) A law enforcement officer of the state or of any county or municipality may confiscate a firearm found to be in the possession of a person under circumstances specified in subsection (1) of this section. After confiscation, the firearm shall not be surrendered except: (a) To the prosecuting attorney for use in subsequent legal proceedings; (b) for disposition according to an order of a court having jurisdiction as pr