I’m not defending the department, but I’ll go ahead and ask the question. If the police already have possession of the firearm, is it really illegal for them to test it or run the serial number? They can run my car history while I’m sitting at a red light; why couldn’t they do the same with my firearm, assuming they had it in their possession already?
How they got that firearm is a different question, and the database they’re creating is clearly illegal (yet another blatant violation of federal law by ATF, it’s like no one even cares, anymore). But I’m less certain what the rules are for items already in police possession.
Also, I found the news report referenced in the article. It has a few more details that weren’t in the original link.
IMPD policy on seized guns called into question - WISH-TV
The officer being questioned makes a valid point: the time wasted testing firearms for no reason only adds to the lab’s queue, which slows down investigations on firearms that were actually used in crimes.
The guy who had his car towed has a clear case. No probable cause to put this weapon’s ballistic signature into a database.
But it’s like everything else. Once They get it, your firearm, your VIN, your SSN, your DNA etc. they will store it and they will use it. They’ll do it to your detriment and they’ll do it without asking/telling you. I personally don’t trust them because I seriously doubt their intentions are for my good.
I’d say (I’m not a lawyer or anything like that), because cars aren’t guns.
Because operating a motor vehicle on a public road requires registering it. Because that registration is required to be displayed on the vehicle itself, using the state supplied tag/plate. Which is because cars aren’t guns.
Police departments come into possession of all kinds of firearms for all kinds of reasons…testing and documenting and sharing all that…yeah I don’t like that.
It doesn’t even matter what their intentions are, even if they are good (…), that information is forever held by and shared within the government, current and future.
The Amendments including the 4th are there for a reason, and they are there to protect the innocent/good/law abiding
/rambling
It’s been said before. “Driving is a PRIVILEGE. Ownership of a firearm is a RIGHT.”
I am a former Hoosier and resident of Indy. I don’t have a problem testing my firearm, but I do with putting the information in a data base with my identification. I don’t understand why it would take 2 years to get one’s handgun returned. That is an abuse.
The IMPD must feel like kids in a candy store when the NRA conventions come to town.