Burlington gun shop may buy police firearms

Published 12:01 am Monday, December 21, 2009

SULTAN — The old police department’s guns needed to go somewhere.

City officials have slowly been selling off the remnants of the department now that the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office provides service under a contract arrangement.

The sale of 13 firearms — handguns, shotguns and one rifle — for $4,100 to Kesselring Gun Shop of Burlington may be completed this month.

“It was important to protect the public and ourselves, so we only opened up the bids to licensed, known and reputable dealers,” Police Chief Jeff Brand said.

Money from the sale will go back to the city. The cash may be put into the rainy day fund or the general fund, city administrator Deborah Knight said.

The sale moves the city one step closer to the dissolution of its old department. A few random items, including a Dictaphone and camera, have yet to be sold, Brand said.

This past January, the county began providing service to the city of 4,200 people. The arrangement was expected to save money.

So far, it has. The city cut $114,000 from its police budget this year, Knight said.

The arrangement came with trade-offs. The city has one less deputy on the streets, but it has added a half-time detective and a half-time administrative assistant, Knight said.

As a result, the city now can keep police headquarters open during regular business hours.

“People can drop in,” Knight said.

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.