A few dozen firearms from the Powell Police Department could soon be headed to new owners across the globe.

At a Monday meeting, city council members agreed to sell 35 of the department’s old guns — 18 handguns and 17 AR-15-style rifles — at an online auction.

“I bet they go fast,” predicted City Councilman Floyd Young.

The department no longer needs the weapons, as they purchased replacements over the past year. A majority of the Rock River LAR-15 rifles going up for sale were acquired by the department in 2011, while most of the Glock 17 pistols were acquired in 2018. They’ll be put up for bid by Swenson’s Auctions & Appraisals next month through a sporting goods-focused auction.

That so many of the city’s firearms are going up for sale at the same time and without a minimum bid gave some pause to Powell Mayor John Wetzel.

“I just would want to make sure that the police department gets pretty good money for them to continue to support what you guys need,” Wetzel told Police Chief Roy Eckerdt, noting that the weapons “are pretty valuable.”

However, auctioneer Travis Swenson expressed confidence that the city’s guns will fetch a fair price.

“Good things bring good money, and guns are good things,” Swenson told the Tribune in an interview. “... They always hold their value, and it doesn’t matter how many you have.”

The police department’s 35 guns will also represent just a fraction of the 150 to 170 firearms and 500 to 700 total lots that Swenson expects to offer.

Unlike a live auction that might draw 200 potential buyers, Swenson said his online events draw 1,200 bidders.

“We ship guns all over the world out of Powell, Wyoming,” he said, as firearms like those being offered by the city “are things people want.”

The auction, which will be accessible at swensonsauctions.com, will start some time in January and potentially continue into February. Proceeds from the sale will go back into the city’s general fund.