How long does it take to receive a stolen weapon back?

[The Burnside Ninja]

I had my 1911 stolen from my jeep about 6 months ago. The Orlando Police gave my jeep a quick "once over" and said "Yeah, a transient probably stole it." And then they left after leaving me a pamphlete and said that they'll call me if they find it. Riiiiiiight. However, if they happen to stumble across my pistol in some crime or pawn shop- how long does it take for them to return my stolen property??? If they were to find it today, would the paperwork and investigation take days, weeks, or months before I can lay my hands on my precious, precious 1911?

 

[hexidismal]

No idea. And, I don't wan't to make the wound deeper here or anything, but just out of curiosity, what kind of 1911 was it ?

 

[The Burnside Ninja]

It was just a simple RIA. It was my concealed carry weapon. I know Rock Island armory isn't at the top of the 1911 list, but I thought it worked well for it's purpose. Also, it was the closest clone to a Colt... it even took Colt's magazines.

 

[mnrivrat]

A lot would depend on the circumstances of the recovery. If recovered from a crime scene where it played a roll then it becomes evidence and can get tied up for years as trial evidence.

If recovered from a raid, search warrent, traffic stop, etc., some of the same can be true - evidence . At best, no matter how recovered I think you are talking weeks - at worst, even if recovered you may have to kiss it goodbye. What isn't covered by evidence laws can also be at the mercy of the local police and district attorney's office.

 

[The Burnside Ninja]

@#$%!!! That really ticks me off.

 

[Trebor]

Don't plan on ever seeing that gun again. To get it back it would first have to be recovered. Guns stolen in crimes can circulate for years before they are ever recovered by the police and many are never recovered.

If it is recovered, it might need to be held for evidence depending on the circumstances that led to it being recovered. If it was used in a crime, or could be considered to be evidence of relating to a stolen property charge, it would have to be held until the legal process was resolved. Now, if it was just found laying in the bushes somewhere it might be quicker to get back to you.

Finally, for it to get back to you, the police department that recovers it has to have a policy that they return guns recovered in crimes. The gun may travel a considerable distance in that time and not all agencies return guns to their last listed owner.

Personally, just give it up for lost. If you happen to get it back somdeay, consider it a bonus.

 

[Jackal]

My grandpa had 3 of his rifles stolen from his house in a burglery. The crooks were found in the woods about 2 miles from his house the next day. It took about 1 full year from the incident to the time the rifles were returned to him. Chances are the S.N.'s will be ground off of your 1911 and no one will ever know it was yours. Sorry to be bearer of bad news, but thats how it goes.

 

[Trip20]

So did ya leave a gun in a jeep with no top?

 

[Kenneth Lew]

Here, you are extremely lucky to get notified that they have recovered any of your stolen property. It usually sits in some holding area rotting catalogued as gun waiting to be auctioned off.

Heck they cannot even keep track of evidence gathered during a criminal investigation (I can personally attest to that one).

 

[The Burnside Ninja]

No, my pistol was locked in the glove compartment. The top was up. And I was in a secured parking garage. (so, I thought)

Three problems:
-Newer Jeep glove compartments are flimsey and weak. (popped off with a screwdriver, apparently)

-Soft tops can be cool... but can be unzipped/sliced open easily.

-Crackheads are like roaches... they can skitter into any darkened area, no matter how secured.

 

[Axman]

Never rely on a glovebox door, they are plastic in most cars.

 

[Delta608]

If the gun is recovered in a search warrant, it is taken for evidence...If the "New Owner" is a convicted felon the weapon will get processed for prints with either superglue or powder, either is not great for the gun...Then held for trial, then held for appeal(s) Then after the prints, the weapon is fired in a ballistics lab to ascertain if it was used in a homicide...And of course the serial numbers on handguns are not unique, so a second point of I.D. is sometimes needed...All in all a return of a firearm is slim or a looong time as another poster pointed out...

 

[offthepaper]

Had 3 handguns stolen out of my home about a year ago. The first couple of months, I held out hope I would get them back (somehow?). It takes a while for the reality to set in that they are likely gone and not coming back. My sincere condolences as I know that feeling of anger, depression, and disbelief that you have been violated and victimized by some scum.
Best advice............put it behind you and use this as a stepping stone to upgrade what was lost. If it comes back, all the better.

 

[The Burnside Ninja]

Well, from now on... the gun goes with me. I'll definately be looking into a gun safe, now.

OFF, did you have a gun safe when they stole those weapons?

 

[RH822]

My brother had a PPK stolen from his house about 6 years ago, about 3 years later the NC State Police called him and asked him to come in and pick up his gun. It had been recovered at a crime scene 6 months earlier. Other than being reassembled incorrectly the gun was complete and undamaged.

RH

 

[The Burnside Ninja]

there is hope! lol

 

[orionengnr]

http://www.classicarms.us/

here, you can replace it for a good price. I was eyeing one at $269 a while ago, then $289... Now $319...see a pattern? Buy two now.

ROCK ISLAND .45 1911-A1 PISTOLS.... SEVERAL CUSTOMERS HAVE COMMENTED WHAT A GREAT DEAL IT IS AND WHY DON'T WE GIVE IT MORE AD SPACE. SO HERE IT IS. THESE ARE MADE IN THE PHILLIPINES BY ARMSCOR. IN MY OPINION, FOR THE MONEY, THEY ARE THE BEST VALUE OF ANY 1911 STYLE .45 PISTOL IN THE COUNTRY. THEY HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DARK PARKERIZED FINISH, AND REALLY NICE HARDWOOD GRIPS. BRAND NEW PRODUCTION, EACH PISTOL COMES WITH 1 8 RD. MAG , OWNERS MANUAL, AND FACTORY FIRED TEST CASINGS. SHIPS IN A REALLY STURDY HARDSHELL CASE. THESE ARE NOT C & R ELIGIBLE. I'M TOLD THAT ALL CRITICAL PARTS INTERCHANGE WITH COLT OR SPRINGFIELD. IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A NICE .45 THAT WON'T BREAK YOUR BANK, WHY NOT TRY ONE OF THESE. ....ONLY......$319.95

Best, Rich

 

[dragongoddess]

I know the website that came from. THey hard chromed some of the Rock Islands and boy did they look sharp.

 

[saltydog452]

Well, fact is, if you filed an insurance claim, and it was paid, deductable not-withstanding, the stolen property is now the property of your insurance carrier.

salty.

 

[Ala Dan]

As previously stated, it depends on a lot of circumstances~!

If the weapon was used in a crime, its quite possible that you may
NEVER see it again; especially if some judge condems your 1911. I
certainly hope this isn't the case. I have known cases that took the
courts several year's too clear; before the weapon could be returned.

Your best bet would be too purchase you another 1911; and learn from
your mistake of leaving the previous 1911 in your vechile.

 

[itgoesboom]

I had this experience myself.

Took 2 years from the time I was contacted by the agency that recovered the revolver (FBI) to the time I got it back into my hands.

In the mean time, they held it as evidence for trial, and when the theif/druggie pled guilty, they held the firearm untill the time for his appeals was up.

I.G.B.

 

[Jeff White]

I always photograph stolen property I recover. Then before the case goes to trial, the states attorney asks the defense attorney to examine the actual evidence and the photgraphs and agree that the photos will stand in for the actual evidence. Defense attorneys often agree to that and then the property is released.

The shortest time I ever held a firearm in evidence was over the weekend. The thief pled guilty in his first court appearance Monday morning and the states attorney released the weapon that afternoon.

But it can take months and years depending on the circumstances.

The answer is; It's pretty much impossible to say how long it will take.

Jeff

 

[Limeyfellow]

I know how you feel. My uncle had an authentic Kentucky Rifle and powder horn from the 1770s that had been in the family all the time. My uncle caught him in the process but unfortantly the thief outran him while being chased down the street by a very angry former marine, veteran of iwo jima with a katana in his hand.

 

[mp510]

I know the website that came from. THey hard chromed some of the Rock Islands and boy did they look sharp.

Classic Arms is a good outfit. Great customer service and fast shipping. They got an item that I bought from them out the same day.

 

[Just_a_dude_with_a_gun]

If they ever "find" it, it probably has a better chance of being logged as evidence, than it does of being returned to you.