Miami, Florida – -(AmmoLand.com)-The Miami Police Department plans to hold a gun buyback this Saturday at Miami City Hall, which it is calling “GUNS 4 UKRAINE.” Police are offering gift cards in exchange for the weapons: $50 for a handgun, $100 for a shotgun or rifle, and $150 for what the department calls a “high powered rifle (.223 caliber, AR-15, AK-47).”
According to Miami Police Public Information Officer K. Fallat – who declined to provide her first name – the firearms “bought back” will be sent to the Ukrainian military to help in their war against Russia.
“It is my understanding that the guns are going to be shipped off to Ukraine,” Officer Fallat said Wednesday.
Therein lies the problem: shipping firearms to a foreign country without a proper export license violates federal law, specifically the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, known as ITAR.
It also violates Florida Statute 790.08, which regulates what police can do with firearms or other weapons that come under their control. Basically, they can use the weapons, loan them to another law enforcement agency, destroy them or sell them, but the statute requires them to deposit all money raised from the sale into the state treasury earmarked for the benefit of the State School Fund. The state statute does not allow them to ship the arms to a foreign military.
I asked Officer Fallat if she was aware that shipping arms to a foreign country could potentially violate ITAR.
“Sir, I am not aware of that. I’m not shipping them. The property unit is,” she said. “I will make a note of that and advise my higher ups.”
Neither was she aware if the Miami Police Department had a license to export firearms.
“I don’t know, sir, perhaps,” she said.
Officer Fallat was also unaware that shipping firearms to a foreign country was prohibited by Florida Statute 790.08.
“I can look it up and get back to you. I don’t know that,” she said. “I always keep my Florida Statute book handy. The role of a PIO is if I don’t have answers for you, I will get answers for you.”
Officer Fallat then requested I email my questions to her, which was done. I have not yet heard back from her or her supervisors.
As of today, the gun buyback is still scheduled to be held Saturday.
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About Lee Williams
Lee Williams, who is also known as “The Gun Writer,” is the chief editor of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project. Until recently, he was also an editor for a daily newspaper in Florida. Before becoming an editor, Lee was an investigative reporter at newspapers in three states and a U.S. Territory. Before becoming a journalist, he worked as a police officer. Before becoming a cop, Lee served in the Army. He’s earned more than a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter, and three medals of valor as a cop. Lee is an avid tactical shooter.
Never think the police represent the people they do not.There is no one coming to protect you. We are on our own!!!! The police work for the local municipality or state. Depending on weather those elected are democrats or republicans it is the party in power that controls the police. The sheriff office is a elected office by the people he works for the courts and the people he two can be a tool of the party in power. Our republic is now in the control of a one party system there are a few who remain loyal that have… Read more »
Why the complaining from the author? If they actually do what they say they will with them, it’s extremely unlikely that any other agency will look to engage in any action of prosecution for violations of F.S.S. 790.08. Many Department’s sell their ‘long in the tooth’ firearms & other equipment such as ballistic vest, etc. to 3rd world countries such as Brazil, etc. & that’s been going on since the ’70’s in FL. Other States have been doing this for decades as well. Hopefully Miami P.D. has already contacted the State Dept. to go through the process of obtaining a… Read more »
No such thing as a ‘buy back’ if they never belonged to them in the first place.
Gee , I’m sure the Ukrainians will be thrilled to get a bunch of vintage guns in calibers they’ve never heard of along with BB and air soft guns.
from the department that brought you river cops
Let me know WHEN HUNTER XIDEN IS ARRESTED, CHARGED, PROSECUTED and FOUND GUILTY with the current ILLEGALLY INSTITUTED BUREAUCRACY OF THE ATF! I WILL NOT BE HOLDING MY BREATH!!