NOVEMBER 22, 2024|
Photo – G17 Glock – Courtesy Glock
The Hanna Marshal’s Office will sell off unneeded guns and ammo, but not to the public.
The town of Hanna was without a marshal for approximately a year and a half after Ted Kranenberg resigned to join the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office in March 2023.
The search for a Hanna marshal finally came to an end in June of this year, when Memorial Hospital of Carbon County Emergency Department Manager Dan Starr was sworn in as the town’s new, albeit part-time, marshal.
Since that time, Marshal Starr has hired two part-time deputies from the sheriff’s department, Roger Hawks and Trent Wozniak. Deputy Hawks previously served as the Marshal of Medicine Bow and was a member of the Hanna town council. Hawks resigned his seat on the council to accept the part-time deputy marshal position.
With a full roster, Marshal Starr is now focusing on upgrading his department’s equipment. The marshal recently purchased three new 9mm Glock handguns for him and his deputies.
At the October 8th Hanna town council meeting, Marshal Starr requested permission from the governing body to sell two unused older style 9mm Glock pistols and surplus ammunition from his department.
Marshal Starr said he is considering selling the guns and bullets to another law enforcement agency or directly to the public. To avoid any legal issues, the sale must be conducted under the supervision of a Federal Firearms License holder.
The marshal said proceeds from the gun sale will be used to offset the cost of purchasing the new firearms for himself and his two deputies.
The Hanna town council voted to allow the sale of the marshal’s pistols and ammunition. Mayor Jayson Nordquist informed Marshal Starr that a public sale will need to be advertised in the local newspaper. According to state law, radio stations like Bigfoot 99 are not invited to participate in government sales despite our larger audience and geographic reach—a byproduct of 19th century government logic and bias.
At the following town council meeting, on November 12th, a concerned citizen asked why the marshal’s department needed to buy three new pistols. Marshal Starr explained that finding accessories for the older style handguns is difficult.
Deputy Marshal Hawks added that most law enforcement agencies use the same Glock handguns, ensuring compatibility across different departments.
With the council’s prior approval, Marshal Starr said he has arranged for a local firearms dealer to purchase ammunition and two pistols from his department. Money generated through the sale will be used for future equipment purchases from the same dealer.
Marshal Starr said he expects to receive $300 each for the old pistols.
The same concerned citizen asked about selling the guns and ammo directly to the public, per the marshal’s remarks during the last meeting.
Marshal Starr said by selling everything to the firearms dealer, the town will not be held accountable for anything that happens after the sale. If a member of the public wishes to buy the guns, the marshal said they can do so through the dealer.
After the sale of the two 9mm handguns is finalized, Marshal Starr said he will consider selling a third, unneeded handgun, specifically a .45 caliber Glock.
