TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - The Tucson City Council has voted to temporarily stop destroying guns seized by police while it challenges a state law that could cost it millions in revenue if it continues the practice.
Tuesday's 7-0 council vote comes after the Arizona Attorney General's Office said the city was violating a 2013 law requiring the guns be sold. The funds generated from the sale of those weapons are then directed into the city's general fund. Tucson has continued destroying seized guns, saying its charter city status means the law doesn't apply there.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is asking the state Supreme Court to determine if a Tucson city ordinance requiring the destruction of guns seized by police violates state law.
A 2016 law forces cities to forfeit state shared revenue if they fail to stop violating the law after an attorney general or state Supreme Court determination. Tucson could lose more than $170 million in revenue if the Supreme Court rules against it and it keeps destroying guns.
The attorney general decided last month that Tucson is likely breaking the 2013 law and plans to petition the high court to make a final ruling. Tucson could lose more than $170 million in revenue if the Supreme Court rules against it and it keeps destroying guns.
City records show that the Tucson Police Department has destroyed 4,820 guns since the beginning of 2013.
