Shameful in Detroit: AP release

[Harold Mayo]

Detroit Police Destroy 5,000 Guns

.c The Associated Press

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Thousands of guns taken from robbers, burglars, drug dealers and other criminals have been melted down into steel.

Detroit police took 5,037 guns that had jammed their property room to the Rouge Steel Co. plant in Dearborn on Thursday, where they were turned into recycled steel. Some of the guns dated back to the 1970s.

Workers at the plant, which produces steel products for the automotive industry, appeared happy to accommodate what the department said was its largest-ever gun burn.

``This is huge,'' said police Chief Jerry Oliver, standing near a mountain of AK47s, sawed-off shotguns, rifles, Uzis and machine guns. ``The fact that we're taking these guns out of our circulation means lives will be saved.

``And we will have cleared thousands of square feet of space in the property room.''

Two dump trucks carried the weaponry under guard from police headquarters. A crane with an electromagnet picked the guns up, about 50 at a time. Eventually, the guns went into a melting pot and molten steel at 2,600 degrees was poured over them.

Detroit Police want to bring the property room's inventory to a manageable level. Last year, nine people were indicted on charges of stealing more than 200 pounds of cocaine from the room. The case is pending.


Shame on Detroit and, especially, this police chief. I'd like to see a "mountain" of machine guns seized by Detroit police. No mention was made of cheap handguns at all and I would bet that 80% of the 5,000 guns were just that.

Machine guns my ***

 

[pinduck]

Did you notice there is no mention of any drugs disposed of. What do they do, save all the drugs for their own use?

 

[blackhawk2000]

What do you expect from a city that has Saddam Houssein as an honorary resident?

 

[Bonker]

It always amazes me that they will destroy a valuable source of potential revenue then come to us bitching about how they need more money.
Sell those guns!

 

[El Tejon]

Psst, Bonker, they do. PR is PR. Detroit, like many cities, just puts restrictions upon the distance upon the point of sale.

 

[BigG]

PR Crap

They were definitely Lorcins and worn out JC Penney shotguns. Detroit sells anything good they get, including probably the drugs.

 

[blackhawk2000]

Detroit is too stupid, and anti-gun to make money off of them.

 

[spacemanspiff]

those arent just weapons they took off a criminals person. you know theres a lot of high quality weapons taken from the homes of criminals. probably lots of milsurp in fine condition as well.

do they also destroy vehicles seized from drunk drivers? might as well get those potentially dangerous items off the streets too!

 

[benewton]

"Some of the guns dated back to the 1970s."

Given my age, many of mine do, too.

Good thing I'm not close to Detroit, or my collection would probably be next!

 

[Average Guy]

What about the plastic and ceramic guns that the big magnet couldn't pick up? And I'm wondering how all that wood and plastic and aluminum magically becomes "recycled steel."

As Renny Harlin once said: "Ah, what would I know?"

 

[Erik Jensen]

I actually stopped by the HQ down on Beaubien two weeks ago when they Freep ran the story about the PD's plans. I, of course, inquired about purchasing some of the aforementioned long guns. they said they couldn't sell them because of liability, as they figured I would sue them if the rifle Kb!'d or something. still, it sticks in my craw that they would just melt 'em down, while complaining about their budget! How much do you get per pound for scrap steel, anyway? also, the vast majority of those long guns were shotguns. not sawed off shotguns, but totally legal, long barrelled, wood stocked shotguns. in the pic in the paper, I even saw a few over-unders! oh.. and in the pic, I count maybe two "assault type rifles". just two. :banghead:

 

[JohnBT]

I did a quick google search and this is the first thing I found. JT

Estimated domestic consumer buying prices in US$/gross ton;
delivered mill price.
Detroit
NO. 1 HEAVY MELT .......................... 85(a)
No. 1 bundles ............................. 79
No. 2 bundles ............................. 76
No. 1 busheling ........................... 77
Shredded auto scrap ....................... 115
Cut structural/plate, 5' max. ............. 110-112
Foundry steel, 2' max. .................... 110
CUPOLA CAST ............................... 137
Clean auto cast ........................... 140
Unstripped motor blocks ................... 83
Heavy breakable cast ...................... 68
Drop broken machinery cast ................ 137

(a) Appraisal price

 

[Slotback]

If the guns were in the storage of Detroit PD, doesn't that mean that they are already off of the street? Great observation there Chief.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Pity the city of Detroit doesn't treat its criminals as badly as their guns.