PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on a state Supreme Court hearing (all times local):
1 p.m.
Arizona Supreme Court justices sharply questioned the attorney for the city of Tucson over his claim that its decision to destroy guns seized by its police department is a matter of strictly local concern.
Several justices asked attorney Richard Rollman during arguments Tuesday why it should say a state law requiring those guns to be sold doesn’t apply to Tucson. The city is one of 19 that have their own “charters,” which allow them greater freedom.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich determined in November that Tucson’s policy may violate a 2013 state law requiring the weapons be sold. He’s asking the high court to make the final decision.
Assistant Attorney General Paul Watkins urged the justices to rule that Tucson is violating state law.
The justices will rule later on the case prompted by a 2016 law penalizing cities for such violations.
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This item has been corrected to reflect that there are 19 charter cities, not 18..
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3 a.m.
The city of Tucson wants the Arizona Supreme Court to find a 2016 law allowing the state to withhold funding from cities that have ordinances that conflict with state laws violates the state Constitution.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office will try to counter that argument in arguments before the court on Tuesday.
Brnovich determined that a Tucson policy to destroy guns seized by its police department may violate a 2013 law requiring them to be sold. He’s asking the court to make a final decision and trigger a provision that the state withhold tax money from the city.
Tucson’s lawyers say the whole 2016 law that set up a way for cities to be investigated and penalized for violating state law is unconstitutional.
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