Bill Text: MS HB611 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Monies from seized weapons; authorize law enforcement agency to use to purchase equipment for the agency.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2024-03-05 - Died In Committee [HB611 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2024-HB611-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Ford (73rd)
House Bill 611
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-37-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO USE MONIES RECEIVED FROM AN AUCTION SALE OF SEIZED FIREARMS FOR THE PURCHASE OF ANY EQUIPMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 97-37-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-37-3. (1) Any weapon used in violation of Section 97-37-1, or used in the commission of any other crime, shall be seized by the arresting officer, may be introduced in evidence, and in the event of a conviction, shall be ordered to be forfeited, and shall be disposed of as ordered by the court having jurisdiction of such offense. In the event of dismissal or acquittal of charges, such weapon shall be returned to the accused from whom it was seized.
(2) (a) If the weapon to be forfeited is merchantable, the court may order the weapon forfeited to the seizing law enforcement agency.
(b) A weapon so
forfeited to a law enforcement agency may be sold at auction as provided by
Sections 19-3-85 and 21-39-21 to a federally-licensed firearms dealer, with the
proceeds from such sale at auction to be used to * * * purchase equipment
for the seizing law enforcement agency.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.
