Seized Firearms or Ammunition, etc.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 105-122
in effect105-122. Seized Firearms or Ammunition, etc.
1. ABANDONED OR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY. a. Dangerous Materials. The chief of police may, by any lawful means, safely dispose of abandoned or unclaimed flammable, explosive or incendiary substances, materials or devices in his custody posing a danger to life or property in their storage, transportation or use immediately after taking possession of such substances, materials or devices.
b. In Custody of Chief of Police. The chief of police may dispose of firearms or ammunition in the custody of the chief of police which have been abandoned or remain unclaimed for a period of 12 months after the taking of possession of such property by the chief of police, by return to the rightful owner, destruction or transfer to the state crime laboratory under s. 165.75, Wis. Stats., the division of law enforcement services of the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
c. Other Personal Property. Except for abandoned motor vehicles and trailers, the chief of police may dispose of all other personal property in the chief's custody which has been abandoned or remains unclaimed for a period of 30 days after acquisition by the chief by using an Internet auction service contracting with the department of administration. The proceeds of such sales shall be paid to the city treasurer. The chief of police may dispose of abandoned or unclaimed property by other means set forth in s. 310-29 only with prior authorization of the department of administration and in accordance with the requirements of s. 310-29-2 to 4. Property delivered to the department of administration for disposition shall be disposed of by the department of administration in accordance with s. 310-29. Abandoned motor vehicles and trailers shall be disposed of in accordance with s. 105-65.
2. DISPOSITION OF SEIZED FIRE-ARMS OR AMMUNITION. a. Seized Firearms or Ammunition Posing a Danger to Life or Property or Constituting Contraband. If firearms or ammunition seized by the chief of police are not required for evidence or further investigation but pose a danger to life or property in their storage, transportation or use or constitute contraband, the chief of police may safely dispose of such firearms or ammunition by any lawful means.
b. Seized Firearms or Ammunition Which Do Not Pose a Danger to Life or Property or Constitute Contraband. If firearms or ammunition seized by the chief of police are not required for evidence or further investigation or do not appear to be or are not reported stolen, and have not been disposed of pursuant to court order at the completion of a criminal action or proceeding or in accordance with par. a, and the rightful owner has not requested their return within 12 months after the taking of possession of such firearms or ammunition by the chief of police, such firearms or ammunition may be shipped by the chief of police to the state crime laboratory for disposition under s. 968.20(3)(a), Wis. Stats.
c. Seized Firearms or Ammunition Which Appear to be or are Reported Stolen. If firearms or ammunition seized by the chief of police appear to be or are reported stolen but are not required for evidence or further investigation and have not been disposed of pursuant to court order at the completion of a criminal action or proceeding or in accordance with par. a, and the rightful owner has not requested their return within 12 months after the taking of possession of such firearms or ammunition by the chief of police, the chief of police may ship such firearms or ammunition to the state crime laboratory for disposition under s. 968.20(3)(a), Wis. Stats., after the chief of police shall have made a reasonable effort to notify the rightful owner, and the rightful owner shall not have requested their return within 30 days following receipt of such notification. If after a reasonable effort the chief of police is unable to notify the rightful owner, the chief of police may ship such firearms or ammunition to the state crime laboratory for disposition under s. 968.20(3)(a), Wis. Stats., provided not less than 15 months shall have elapsed since the taking of possession of such firearms or ammunition by the chief of police.
3. OTHER SEIZED PROPERTY. If property other than firearms or ammunition is seized by the chief of police and is not requested for evidence or investigation, and such property poses a danger to life or property in its storage, transportation or use or constitutes contraband, the chief of police may safely dispose of such property by any lawful means.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH105.pdf#page=32Fetched: 10/26/2026