Do confiscated firearms get returned to owners?

[dieselrealtor]

Do LEO agencies make any kind of effort to return firearms that are on the stolen list back to the rightful owners?

Just curious.

 

[03mustgt]

Do LEO agencies make any kind of effort to return firearms that are on the stolen list back to the rightful owners?

Just curious.

Yes.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Sure, as long as you can provide PROOF that it was yours. They usually want the serial number from you. If you don't have it, you can SOMETIMES get it from the place of purchase. If that place is no longer in business or that particular location has closed and records have been moved, then you are usually SOL.

 

[dieselrealtor]

So, if I report my serial #s as stolen, basically I will probably have to track them down at a police auction, then show it was mine?

 

[Bucky623]

My personal experience has been no effort is made to return the firearm but if you go in and ask for it you will get it back.

 

[IndianaGTI]

To answer the OP, yes.

 

[Deet]

In my case no effort was made by the Police station to return my gun. I had to provide proof it was mine and go to the station and pick it up, after I discovered they had it for 3 months after I filed a stolen weapons report. Really sad and horrible job by my local Police.

 

[Burr Head]

I once returned an old .38 colt to a NYPD officer who had it stolen from him back in 1961. I recovered it from a perp I arrested with a ton of burglary items. The officer was retired but I got it back to him through some other officers in his precinct. BH

 

[Burr Head]

I'd also note that we try very hard to get all property returned to victims of thefts and burglaries, especially guns. It's a big plus for everyone and good PR for our dept. I've noticed though that a number of northern agencies, mostly their admin people, take a dim view on gun ownership and may not try to get them back to the rightful owners.

 

[DRob]

Hmmmmmmmmm

In my case no effort was made by the Police station to return my gun. I had to provide proof it was mine and go to the station and pick it up, after I discovered they had it for 3 months after I filed a stolen weapons report. Really sad and horrible job by my local Police.

The gun was gone, who (obviously not you) knows where, for at least 3 months before you reported it. The police made you go in and prove it was yours in order to pick it up! And that's a "sad and horrible job" on their part? I guess I'm missing something here.

 

[Triton20]

I had a pistol stolen last summer that was just recovered 2 weeks ago by ISP. They didn't call me but the St. Joe Cty. Police that came out when my house was broken into called and told me that ISP had my gun and to call them if I wanted it back.

 

[03mustgt]

The gun was gone, who (obviously not you) knows where, for at least 3 months before you reported it. The police made you go in and prove it was yours in order to pick it up! And that's a "sad and horrible job" on their part? I guess I'm missing something here.

Yes. Someone stole his gun. He reported it stolen. Police recover it and do not make an effort to contact the him. He calls PD and discovers they have had his firearm for 3 months. He then goes and picks it up. Poor follow up IMO.

 

[DarkRose]

The gun was gone, who (obviously not you) knows where, for at least 3 months before you reported it. The police made you go in and prove it was yours in order to pick it up! And that's a "sad and horrible job" on their part? I guess I'm missing something here.

I think you misread. He didn't wait 3 months to file the report, he found they had it for 3 months after he'd already filed a report...

 

[Stnmikita]

The guns illegally confiscated during hurricane Katrina were returned........sort of.

N.O. Police Returning Guns Confiscated Post-Katrina - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

I also remember reading somewhere that those few that were returned were often damaged beyond repair.

 

[shootinghoosier]

So when does a recovered firearm actually become available for return to its rightful owner?

I recently received a subpoena and shortly thereafter the prosecutor called me about possibly needing me to testify on a case where one of my stolen guns was recovered. No one at IPD has contacted or advised me about the status of this gun, even though it was recovered 60 days ago. Do I have to wait until after there is a plea bargain or verdict or other resolution on the case to make a claim??

 

[Suprtek]

The title of your thread states "confiscated" but your OP states "stolen". Just to clarify, these are two potentially very different things. If your weapon was confiscated from you by law enforcement, the reason for the confiscation is going to play a big role in whether it is returned.

The general discussion indicates you were actually referring to your weapon being stolen then recovered by law enforcement. As others seem to have already stated, I would imagine it would vary greatly depending on the agency or individuals involved.

 

[Westside]

as the majority have said if it is stolen YES you can get it back. However as you might be wondering you do have to wait until the case is "closed". to receive your gun and any other stolen items. However i do believe you can start the request process anytime, this is not legal advice. However I believe that if the gun was used in commission of a crime that IMPD policy states that the gun be destroyed. NOT positive on that part ask a leo on that one.


I worked at the Nucor steel mill in Crawfordsville and we melted many beautiful guns down that were used in crimes. those were always sad days at work.

 

[snorko]

I worked at the Nucor steel mill in Crawfordsville and we melted many beautiful guns down that were used in crimes. those were always sad days at work.

I bet the lunch box was heavy going home that day

But seriously folks, I had four handguns stolen in 1994. Once a year the local PD calls to verify that they are still missing. I maintain hope of recovery.

 

[Westside]

I bet the lunch box was heavy going home that day

I wish... No, the police depart brought them straight to the furnace and watched as every single one was melted down... They made sure. they did the same thing with drugs. I remember a pair of custom Kimber 1911's in 45 that I would have given just about anything to have get melted down.

 

[dieselrealtor]

The title of your thread states "confiscated" but your OP states "stolen". Just to clarify, these are two potentially very different things. If your weapon was confiscated from you by law enforcement, the reason for the confiscation is going to play a big role in whether it is returned.

I may have not used the proper term, to clarify;
I mean stolen from me, not confiscated from me.
I mean confiscated from the criminal, not from me.

Interesting, if a gun was found, say as a murder weapon, I bet they would find the last known owner.

I do not mean to paint all LEO agencies with a broad brush, I imagine that there are some that do make an effort, others see this as a source of revenue or control. Marion County used to have gun auctions years ago, do they still?