'Lost' gun dilema

[rcellis]

Some time ago I moved and apparently left a shotgun behind. It certainly didn't get to my new house. I used a mover, but moved my guns myself. I *think* I left it in a closet where I put a few 'last minute things'...

Anyway, I called the new owner and he says he hasn't seen it. But, he's got a proven trait of 'sharp dealing' and managed to avoid buying a tank of (my) propane my real estate agent didn't get him to buy at closing.

So. I presume that he's got the gun but doesn't want to give it up.

Should I report the gun stolen?

Clint

 

[50 Freak]

How should I put this.....

HELL YES, REPORT IT STOLEN IMMEDIATELY. YOU'RE WASTEING TIME POSTING ON THE INTERNET, GO DOWN TO THE LOCAL P.D. AND REPORT IT STOLEN!!!!!!

By the way, be courtious and tell the guy who bought your house, that you reported the shotgun as stolen and simply being in the posession of a stolen gun is a felony.

 

[Car Knocker]

I don't think it would hurt and could certainly spare you some aggravation if it were to be used in a crime sometime in the future and recovered.

 

[Nekron]

What 50 Freak said!

 

[f4t9r]

Sucks that people would do that. Hes most likely sold it.

 

[Lupinus]

yes, report it stolen if he has it let it bite him in the beind.

But that said guess I'm the first to think it or just be a big enough prick to say it-

There is zero excuse for leaving a gun around like that. Mistakes happen, but really leaving a gun in a situation as discribed is really a big screw up.

 

[rayra]

I'd call him up with 'I'm just checking one more time, reporting it lost / stolen in the morning'. See if he comes up with 'oh THAT shotgun'.

 

[Wiley]

If you check your sales contract I think you'll find that anything left becomes the purchasers property. You sold the land and everything on it not specified in the contract.

The shotgun is his. Tacky that he didn't voluntarily return it but that's about all.

 

[sithanas]

Report it stolen.

 

[mountaindrew]

I would report it stolen merely for legal protection for yourself.

Also, how many guns do you have to own before you stop noticing when one is missing? The only time I had one of my guns "diasapear" (wife moved it without telling me) I was freaking out and tearing the house apart until she told me where it was.

"Misplacing" a gun is not an option.

 

[Sistema1927]

Also, how many guns do you have to own before you stop noticing when one is missing?

Hmmm, probably somewhere around 40. (Don't ask me how I know.)

 

[sturmruger]

A couple of years ago I drove my wife's car over to a buddies house I brought a pistol with me because we always do a little shooting when I am there. When I left I put the cased and unloaded .22 under my the seat in my wife's car. I didn't find that gun for another 12 months!!! I don't usually drive my wife's car unless my car is in the shop so it never occured to me to check in there. It sucks to misplace things, but it happens and at least you realized you were missing it right away.

 

[armoredman]

I wish I had so many I could misplace one.... But I am glad I never have.

 

[rcellis]

If you check your sales contract I think you'll find that anything left becomes the purchasers property. You sold the land and everything on it not specified in the contract.

Not in this case - the sales contract specified only those fixtures which were afixed to the property (like curtain rods) and a few specific items like a purple martin house that was not at the time installed on it's pole.

There is zero excuse for leaving a gun around like that. Mistakes happen, but really leaving a gun in a situation as discribed is really a big screw up.

I disagree - at the time I was puting the gun in the back corner of my own closet - rather than leaving it out on the floor where strangers could see it while the house was open to the movers. At the last minute, my wife decided that she would make 'the last trip' and I was out of context to remember that closet.

About reporting it: I generally agree, but it's been some months since we moved - I decided that I would MAKE SURE I couldn't find the gun by getting EVERYTHING unboxed and put away before I accused someone of stealing a firearm. I am wondering if BATF will come after ME for putting off the report.

Clint

 

[HankB]

That's why, when moving, as our last act at the old house, before locking the door behind us, we go through it thoroughly.

Room by room, we go through every closet, look on every shelf, check every drawer and cabinet, look behind every door. Any appliances being left ('fridge, dishwasher, stove) - we check those too.

We check the garage with similar care, and walk around the exterior.

With an empty house, it takes maybe 15 minutes . . . we consider it time well spent.

 

[rcellis]

That's why, when moving, as our last act at the old house, before locking the door behind us, we go through it thoroughly.

Room by room, we go through every closet, look on every shelf, check every drawer and cabinet, look behind every door. Any appliances being left ('fridge, dishwasher, stove) - we check those too.

We check the garage with similar care, and walk around the exterior.

With an empty house, it takes maybe 15 minutes . . . we consider it time well spent.

That's what I do, but in this case I wasn't the last one leaving. I am NOT saying that my wife did anything wrong - for that would be an impossibility

 

[wdlsguy]

I was puting the gun in the back corner of my own closet - rather than leaving it out on the floor where strangers could see it while the house was open to the movers.

Sounds like it's possible one of the movers helped himself to it. Be careful about pointing fingers at the new owner, you might find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit.

 

[sithanas]

About reporting it: I generally agree, but it's been some months since we moved - I decided that I would MAKE SURE I couldn't find the gun by getting EVERYTHING unboxed and put away before I accused someone of stealing a firearm. I am wondering if BATF will come after ME for putting off the report.

This is the BATFE we're talking about, you're probably better off being safe rather than sorry (and in jail) later. Report it "lost/stolen" now, and don't accuse anyone. That way, if it turns up you're safe. And if you find it, you call back and have it unlisted as "lost/stolen" with the appropriate mea culpa. It's likely your local police will thank you for your caution.