The Lavaca County Commissioners Court on Nov. 10 approved a memorandum of understanding with Gulf Coast Gun Busters to destroy seized firearms and reduce an evidence backlog.

Sheriff representatives told the court the county had accumulated about 75 firearms in an inherited evidence room and needed a contractor to dispose of them properly. "We have about 70 — 75 firearms that we have to dispose of," the sheriff said, describing the volume of evidence. Court members asked whether the service carried a charge; the sheriff said there was no cost when the count exceeded 50 items.

The court moved, seconded and voted to approve the MOU with Gulf Coast Gun Busters for disposal of seized firearms.

Next steps: the sheriff will coordinate with the contractor to schedule destruction in accordance with applicable court orders and evidence-retention rules.