I think this entire debate really ought to center on the service condition of the guns in question. If they are in reasonable and decent condition...then some sale should be in order. If these are in marginal condition and correctly ID’ed as ‘junk’, then selling them isn’t a good idea. So far, no one from DoD has said anything about an inspection and labeling them correctly....let’s get to this point first.
I do not think the condition of the guns is material at all.
There are hundreds of thousands of willing buyer who would love to have one, beat up or not. They are as much cultural icons as they are functional weapons.
If they are sold for $200 apiece for wall hangers, the people still get their icons and the government still gets a lot more money.