St. Charles looking to unload weapons cache back into the market

St. Charles police took its entire cache of confiscated weapons and put nearly all of them back on the market Monday night.

Aldermen, meeting as a committee, reviewed a list of about 20 firearms department officials decided they no longer needed and could sell to dealers. About 16 of the firearms were weapons their previous owners were ordered to surrender to police following criminal convictions. The weapons include 12-gauge shotguns, a 9 mm UZI pistol and a pair of .357-caliber Magnums. Other weapons to be sold by the city are considered surplus now that the city has fewer officers that need SWAT team gear.

The plan is to sell the weapons to two firearms dealers that the city uses when purchasing weapons for the police department.

“These weapons would be sold to two known and reputable, licensed dealers,” said Mike Shortall, the city’s purchasing and inventory control manager. “In return, we would get credits for our future purchases. We believe the price being offered is fair market value.”

Fair market value for the lot of weapons will return about $6,425 to city in the form of purchase credits at the two dealers. The transaction won’t move forward until aldermen take one more vote on the deal; however, every alderman voted in favor of the proposal Monday night.

In other action, Mayor Ray Rogina announced there are 13 applicants to fill his former 3rd Ward seat on the city council. He told aldermen his preference is to have a replacement seated by June 17. The pool of candidates will be trimmed down to a few finalists. Then aldermen will get a chance to interview them and select a choice on either June 3 or June 10.

Weapons: Police department will get credit toward future purchases