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The Today File

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January 27, 2013 at 4:20 PM

After buyback program, Seattle police try to track history of missile launcher

The Associated Press

Seattle police are tracking down the history of a nonfunctional missile launcher that showed up at a Saturday weapons buyback event in Seattle.

Detective Mark Jamieson said a man standing outside the buyback event bought the military weapon for $100 from another person at the event. The item, a single-use device that had already been used, is a launch-tube assembly for a Stinger portable surface-to-air missile. He said detectives will notify Army Criminal Investigation on Monday.

Jamieson said the launcher is a controlled military item and is not available to civilians through any surplus or disposal program offered by the government. He said the launch tube was most likely obtained unlawfully from the military, and would likely be returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Comments | More in | Topics: gun buyback program, Seattle

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