Flint, Mich., to destroy illegal guns seized by police, won't auction them off to lawful bidders

The City of Flint, Mich., announced Tuesday it will begin destroying illegal firearms that have been seized by police instead of auctioning them off to legal bidders for profit.

Democratic Mayor Sheldon Neeley said at a press conference that banning the city from selling confiscated guns at auctions will prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands and returning to the streets to further carry out violence. Gun auctions, however, are legal and serve lawful gun buyers.

“From Day 1, we put a priority on leading this city with a strong social conscience. Human life is always more valuable than dollars,” the mayor said. “Under this administration, we will never again line our pockets by selling guns. It is unconscionable that after seizing these illegal weapons that anyone would gamble by putting them back on the streets where they could again fall into the wrong hands.”