# Making guns inoperable with a torch **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 14, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-guns-inoperable-with-a-torch/564174 "2010-12-14T22:56:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-guns-inoperable-with-a-torch/564174/1 "2010-12-14T22:56:51Z")
I read in the news about some law enforcement people rendering confiscated guns inoperable with an acetylene torch. Why go to all that trouble and expense? Why not just take them to a metal recycling center? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-guns-inoperable-with-a-torch/564174/2 "2010-12-14T23:29:04Z")
Possibly, out of concern that the people at the metal recycling center might help themselves to some free guns? ---
**Author:** ![History\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b19c9b/32.png) [@History\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Geek)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-guns-inoperable-with-a-torch/564174/3 "2010-12-14T23:54:45Z")
There are specific means of destruction specified by law for the destruction of confiscated or surrendered firearms. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-guns-inoperable-with-a-torch/564174/4 "2010-12-15T00:07:48Z")
This is The Onion level comedy gold. Do you know the types of people that frequent some metal recycling centers? In any case, the two options aren’t mutually exclusive. Rendering a gun inoperable with a metal torch is hardly brain surgery and doesn’t need to be expensive. Most guns tend to be made of high quality metal so they can be selectively recycled once they are broken into parts. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-guns-inoperable-with-a-torch/564174/5 "2010-12-15T00:28:28Z")
Given the state of the economy, anything better than a [Jennings](http://www.astorarms.ca/images/Prohibited%20Handguns/Jennings,%2022%20cal,%20DSC_1220.JPG) should be broken down and sold for parts. Make a little money on the deal. If you have to, just slag the receiver. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-guns-inoperable-with-a-torch/564174/6 "2010-12-15T00:30:40Z")
The real problem is that once you turn the torch off, the gun immediately starts cooling down. Ten to fifteen minutes later it’s cool enough to pick up and use again. Very ineffective way of disarming an intruder. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-guns-inoperable-with-a-torch/564174/7 "2010-12-15T01:10:31Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > … Very ineffective way of disarming an intruder. True, but often just the sound of an acetylene torch being lit is enough to scare the intruder away. 😉 CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-guns-inoperable-with-a-torch/564174/8 "2010-12-15T02:25:07Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Given the state of the economy, anything better than a [Jennings](http://www.astorarms.ca/images/Prohibited%20Handguns/Jennings,%2022%20cal,%20DSC_1220.JPG) should be broken down and sold for parts. Make a little money on the deal. If you have to, just slag the receiver. I am sure the Jennings owners would be happy to get any parts that might come their way…