Two Arizona Republican state representatives filed an SB 1487 complaint with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes requesting an investigation and report into an ordinance the City of Phoenix passed in June authorizing the transfer of hundreds of unclaimed firearms to the National Police of Ukraine.
The National Police of Ukraine is the national and only police service of Ukraine.
The council authorized Ordinance S-50010 at its meeting on June 28th. This ordinance permits the city to choose “approximately 500-600 unclaimed firearms to transfer through Gruelle, a private company which provides export and import services.”
The ordinance states that Gruelle will transfer to the National Police of Ukraine only 9mm, 45mm, 39mm, and 12 gauge unclaimed firearms.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, it labels firearms as “unclaimed” when an owner does not show up after receiving a 30-day notice.
State Representatives Quang Nguyen (R-Prescott) and Selina Bliss (R-Prescott) claimed on Monday that the ordinance violates state law. According to the lawmakers, under Arizona law, “Political subdivisions are prohibited from enacting any ordinance relating to “the possession, sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition, or use of firearms in Arizona.”
Last month, the Representatives sent a letter to the Phoenix City Council asking its members to rescind the “unlawful” ordinance.
Following the representative’s letter, the city refused to rescind the ordinance and executed a contract with Gruelle on August 4th, signaling its intention to send the weapons abroad.
According to Nguyen (pictured above, left) and Bliss (pictured above, right), they are calling on Mayes to investigate the legality of the City of Phoenix’s ordinance, which “appears to be in direct violation of the law.”
“Our submission of this 1487 complaint formally requests that Attorney General Mayes investigate the legality of the City of Phoenix’s ordinance allowing the donation of unclaimed firearms to Ukraine’s national police, which appears to be in direct violation of our state’s established laws. Adherence to the law is not an option but an imperative –especially for public officials. Mayor Gallego and the City Council should repeal their misguided ordinance and instead prioritize the safety and security of its own community. We will eagerly anticipate the Attorney General’s report,” the lawmakers said.
The lawmakers state that the city’s “willful ignorance” of state law is not only troubling, but it places the city in a precarious position should this issue be litigated in the future. They requested that Mayes issue an investigation followed by a written report within 30 days of their request.
The Arizona Sun Times reached out to Nguyen and Bliss for additional comment but did not receive a reply before press time.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star, The Star News Network, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
