Solano College police look to sell surplus guns, ammo

FAIRFIELD — Solano Community College police are looking to sell shotguns, pistols and ammunition.

Civilians need not apply.

The department is proposing to sell the excess or unneeded arsenal to other college districts, police departments or police officers.

An inventory by Interim Police Chief Ed Goldberg showed the department possessed a cache of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition. After consulting with a licensed dealer, which is federal protocol, it was realized the sale of surplus guns and ammo could bring $4,491. That money would be used to upgrade outdated stun guns in the department, according to staff reports.

The report details the latest move in an overhaul of the department since the former Vacaville police lieutenant was hired in September. Other changes have included hiring retired officers from surrounding departments, increased staffing and upgrades to equipment.

Officers carry a Glock model 22 .40-caliber handgun and the vehicles contain a Bushmaster AR-15s, three in all. The department has four full-time officers and six part-time officers and reports state they need 16 .40-caliber pistols to cover service and backups in case of maintenance.

Goldberg writes that other higher-powered rifles and shotguns the department possesses aren’t necessary. Also recommended is the sale of excess pistols for the force.

Up for sale are two Benelli shotguns, two Remington shotguns, a broken Savage shotgun, three Glock model 22 .40-caliber pistols, one Glock model 27 .40-caliber pistol, an R&G .38-caliber revolver and three rifle scopes.

There is also an H&R fully automatic M-14 rifle and a Colt model 1911 .45-caliber pistol that were awarded through a federal military weapons surplus program. Those two weapons will be transferred to other departments, which federal law dictates.

Goldberg also reported that the department has 18,905 rounds of ammunition for firearms it doesn’t need. There are also 3,423 rounds for the AR-15 and 23,534 rounds of ammunition for the .40-caliber handguns.

Goldberg writes that he needs 3,000 rounds of .40-caliber ammo and 1,500 rounds for the rifles to meet training needs. Officer need to be certified every six months.

The shotguns are not needed because of the capabilities of the pistols and rifles. Goldberg also reported that there is a risk of hitting others than the target because of the spread of the shot.

The M-14 isn’t needed because the AR-15 is adequate for any active shooter case on campus. The M-14 is also stored in the department, which would lengthen the time needed to acquire it in an emergency.

Goldberg writes his department needs more training due to the increase in campus shooting across the country.

“What we are woefully lacking in is the training and support required to deploy and maintain the three AR-15s currently owned by the department,” he wrote.

The topic will be presented to the Solano Community College District Board of Trustees at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Vacaville campus at 2001 N. Village Parkway.

Reach Danny Bernardini at 427-6935 or dbernardini@dailyrepublic.net. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dbernardinidr.

Danny Bernardini

Danny is a newspaper man born and raised in Vacaville. He attended Chico State University and has written for the Enterprise Record and the Reporter. Covers the City of Fairfield, education and crime. A's, Warriors and Saints fan. Listener of vinyl, frequent visitor to the East Bay. Registered "decline to state" voter. Loves a good steak.

View all my stories Email Me