TexasCHLforum.com

srothstein:

Wow, thanks for the update on all that TABC works on. I had no visibility to their
powers.

FYI: Another set of LEO's that you don't hear too much about are the US Postal Service
Inspectors (I'm not sure this is their exact title).

Many crimes have a component to them where fraudulent documents are mailed from the
scammer to the victim. As long as something is travelling through the USPS, be it a letter or
a package, the Postal Inspectors have the authority to be involved.

My understanding is that they keep somewhat of a low profile so bad guys will
continue to use the Post Office to do their evil. The USPS will provide the evidence gathered
to other LE agencies to do the prosecution.

DNA evidence has been gathered from the stamps that the bad guy licked to send the document.
But now most stamps are pre-glued, so they gather DNA from where the envelope was licked to
seal it.

srothstein & papacub:

Thanks for the places where these weapons are sold.

What I was hoping for would be a free-for-all kind of police auction
where you could pick up weapons at a bargain price.

Since these weapons have gotten into the system at authorized
dealers, it seems like they would just be priced at retail, just like
any other gun store.

StewNTexas:

That reminds me of a visit we took to Hot Springs, Arkansas on Labor Day weekend of
1997, which was the weekend that Lady Diana died.

We took a lake ride on the military surplus DUKW's (ducks) which are the amphibious
trucks that the US military used during WW II. It was very scenic and cool to drive on the
roadways, then just go down a ramp into the lake and it's a boat too.

Well the story was told that at some point local law enforcement decided that the area slot
machines would be seized during a LEO raiding party. The slot machines were removed from
all the illegal places, taken onto a boat, and dumped in that beautiful lake that Hot Springs
surrounds.

The creepy thing about the "duck" ride was that shortly after we took our ride, maybe in 1998
or so, one of the ducks sank in the lake with loss of life due to drowning. When the duck sank,
many people didn't jump out of their seats quick enough. The ducks had a sun-shading awning on
top and this trapped the victims and brought them down with the duck. For all I know, the one
that sank might have been the same one we rode on in September 1997.

srothstein:

Thanks for the data you have provided.

What surprised me was that TABC has seized weapons during their
enforcement activities.

My perception of TABC is that they write up bars for incorrect procedures,
or conduct stings where they have underage people try to buy alcohol at stores
or get served in bars.

Do you know how TABC ends up with weapons?

I'm betting that the cops themselves get to take home
the pick of the litter - Kimbers or whatever suits their fancy.

Then the rest go to the crusher.

Does anyone have any idea if there are law enforcement agencies that sell or
auction off the firearms that they seize on a constant basis?

I believe the answer is no. Some PD's have giant crushing machines that totally
tear apart any weapons they are fed.

But maybe, somewhere, could there be a department that sells the seized weapons
to law-abiding citizens? Inquiring minds would like to find such a department.

Evildoers with money must buy some high end firearms. It's a shame if they all go
to the crusher.