[Bobothebigdog]

The m2 thread got me thinking about what to do if I found a firearm. My first thought would probably be to keep it but what if it was involved in a crime? What are your thoughts?

[Preacherman]

Two problems:

1. If it's been stolen, and the owner(s) have reported the theft, the serial number will be listed forever and a day in the files of stolen weapons. If you ever have your gun checked by the police (say, you use it for self-defence, or you're carrying it when stopped and they run an automatic check on it and you), it will show as "stolen", and that puts you in possession of stolen property, with a heck of a lot of explaining to do...

2. If it's been used in a crime, and any ballistic evidence was recovered that could identify the gun, once again, if you use it (legally) and it's examined for forensic evidence, you'll be identified as the owner of a gun used in a crime. No good to explain you didn't have it at the time the crime was committed - you don't have a dated sales slip, remember?

For these reasons, it's worth checking the gun out with your local PD. Certainly, the least I would do would be to ask them to run the serial number against the database of stolen guns. I'd go the extra step and actually hand it in as lost property. In my state, if it's not claimed within (IIRC) 180 days, I can claim it myself, so I wouldn't lose on the deal.

[Remington788]

I agree with Preacherman, have the cops check it to see if its stolen and turn it in. If no one claims it, then its yours free and clear.

Of course if it was an M2 like the fisherman found, I might be tempted to keep it. Although I could only shoot it if SHTF in a big way. (mutant zombies or alien invasion) :neener:

[Standing Wolf]

Honesty isn't merely the best policy, but the course of least resistance: fewer complications, fewer cover stories to keep straight, fewer explanations to make, fewer justifications, et cetera.

[thatguy]

Ever had a gun stolen? I have. A found gun is also a lost or stolen gun and the rightful owner would like to have it back. I can't believe anyone would even ask about what to do with A found gun.

[Bobothebigdog]

I asked because :

1. I live in California where the cops will most likely confiscate the weapon even if it is against law.

2. If it was lost what are the chances that I would find the owner?

[thorn726]

i find probably more guns than most anyone, here's my take on it-

THINK HARD. examine the situation you are finding it in , and the odds of it having been used in a crime - and what the odds of you being pinned for said crime might be (usually pretty low) , and then those other guys bring up a good point, that it may be stolen , and ANYTHING reported stolen , you could worst case be guilty of posession of stolen property which may be worse for a gun. you also have to consider the odds of being caught with the gun.

I have a hauling business, my job is cleaning out junk- everywhere from construction sites to evictions to cleaning out dead people's houses.

rifls, pistols, ammo,sooner or later someone leaves everything behind. one gun nut who died was an army sharpshooter- his house was LOADED with ammo, stuff for making ammo, sights, triggers, barrles, stocks of many types.
you know a bunch of it went to use.
the bummer was finding a derringer and a .32 beretta near 2 boxes of brand new .357 ammo, but no .357 in an abandoned crackhouse

of course, if you think you cna get it back to its owner, that is the best route.
and as far as this=
No good to explain you didn't have it at the time the crime was committed - you don't have a dated sales slip, remember?

yeah, you really have to hope if there was a crime, you were on the clock somewhere. it's a big risk. BIG.
i take what i find to experts to clean them up and store them safely, but when i find them, the owners are either dead or left in a hurry so there's no finding the owner

[buttrap]

Yep just what everyone needs...a ripped off M-2...they could drive a T-55 up whats left of your no-13 valve when you finally get out of club fed...

[Smoke Rizen]

County Sheriff's office as soon as possible. But, please ask for a recipt,and if it is tied,through ballistics, to a crime you are still going to be looked at. A hassle anyway you do it. My Uncle once found a pistol in a house he bought. He took it to a police station where he was told to come back in a week to claim it. There was no record,pistol,or receipt, to be found.Get a recipt

[Erich]

I've worked on a murder case in which some poor slob found one of the victim's guns out in a field. After some thought, he contacted police, who had been on the lookout for it. I'm not sure, but I think I recall that the victim's family let him keep it.

[carebear]

You can always have a friendly cop or gunstore owner run the serial for you. If it is stolen, you turn it in.

If not, meh.

Course it could be the final missing piece of non-stolen evidence that identifies the Black Dahlia killer.