This bill amends the current law regarding the disposition of firearms and ammunition that have been seized or forfeited and deposited with the Department of Public Safety in Iowa. It mandates that the department must prioritize selling legal firearms and ammunition at public auction, with specific exceptions. These exceptions include cases where the items may be used for law enforcement purposes, possess unique characteristics that warrant their inclusion in the department's weapons archive, or are needed for exchanges with federal or state agencies under extraordinary circumstances, which must be approved and documented by the commissioner.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that firearms and ammunition can only be destroyed if they do not sell at auction or are deemed damaged or unsafe. It clarifies that illegal or offensive weapons, as defined by section 724.1, are not subject to these disposal requirements and may be destroyed without following the outlined procedures. The amendments aim to streamline the process of handling seized or forfeited firearms and ammunition while ensuring that legal items are made available to the public whenever possible.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 809.5, 724.1