City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 12
Chapter 12.05
Section 12.05.065
 

Title 12 Public Ways and Property

Chapter 12.05 General City Property

Section 12.05.065 Disposition of seized or forfeited firearms
  1. The Spokane Police Department (“SPD”), from time to time, seizes firearms or takes possession of firearms subject to a judicial forfeiture order.  
  1. Under state law, the City of Spokane is authorized to dispose of any forfeited firearms by whatever method(s) the City Council may determine, including sale, trade, or destruction.
  1. The City of Spokane intends to reduce the future availability of firearms which have come into the possession of SPD in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the people of Spokane, and convey the City’s adamant determination to reduce the level of violent crime associated with firearms in Spokane.
  1. Beginning on the effective date of this section, and except as otherwise provided by this section, the City of Spokane and SPD shall destroy all firearms that have come into its possession and that are (1) judicially forfeited and are no longer needed for evidence, (2) forfeited due to a failure to file a claim under RCW 63.32.010, 63.40.010, or 69.50.505, or that are (3) unlawful for any person to own, manufacture, buy, sell, loan, furnish, transport, or have in possession or under control, and SPD shall not sell, transfer, or trade any such firearms.
  1. This section shall not apply to (1) firearms that have come into the possession of SPD prior to June 30, 1993, (2) forfeited firearms that present unusual characteristics impacting officer and public safety, such as an illegal alteration or modification of the firearm that heightens the danger to officers, and retained by SPD for training purposes and not for sale; or (3) antique firearms recognized as curios, relics, and firearms of particular historical significance by the United States Treasury Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Date Passed: Monday, November 5, 2018

Effective Date: Wednesday, December 26, 2018

ORD C35691 Section 1