Let it go, or try to get it back???

[bp10]

Not sure where to post this so sorry if this is not appropriate. Sorry if any of this post upsets you - just looking for a little advice/reassurance. I am under the impression that I have indefinitely (maybe even unwillingly) forfeited my firearm, and if thats the case I am ok with that, just wondering what, if anything else, I need to do to be in the clear....

So, about one year ago I was re-certifying my CCW. Would be my 6th re-cert in CA, and my 5th re-cert with the firearm in question.

A little backstory...I bought a used firearm in 2011 from Summit Gun Broker out of MO, had it transferred to a FFL in CA where I took possession. Immediately had it added to my CCW. Changed counties, re-certed my CCW, had this particualr firearm added with others on all of my CCWs. Fast forward to 2019, round 5 of re-certing, and suddenly I get a call about this specific firearm.

The county in which I was re-certing called to verify SN#, and told me that it was registered stolen from AZ. Not wanting a stolen firearm in my possession, especially one that was listed on my CCW, I called the local sheriff, explained this to them, they came to my house, at my request, and I willingly (actually I forced them to take it) surrendered the firearm to them.

My local sheriff told me it was legally my property since all the correct paperwork was in place, and that it was likely a clerical error.

I've called my local Sheriff multiple times and they keep telling me the same thing - "Its legally my property", they're just trying to communicate with AZ to confirm this and it will get returned to me. This has been going on for about 14 months.

Is this something I should just forget about and call a lesson learned, or do I have any "legal" action to request the firearm be returned to me? Or, even more importantly, is there anything else I need to do so that this does not bite me in the ***? The firearm is not an expensive firearm by any means, but as a loss still a sharp stick in the eye as I spent about $400 w/o fees on it.

Any feedback is appreciated, and I know some will think I'm incompetent for going this route to begin with, and again I apologize if i've upset you. Thank you all, and be safe.

[edgerly779]

whoever sold you the firearm will be contacted they sold a possibly stolen firearm. a friend of mine bought a sw 41 mag 20plus years ago and when he sold it here it came back stolen and was seized by leos. he refunded money and lost the firearm. Never heard anything after that.

[Jess B. Guy]

14 months to confirm a stolen firearm? That's weird. Either it would have been returned to the entering agency by now or someone is being lazy.

Since serial numbers weren't unique between manufacturers are you sure the firearm you bought is the one reported stolen? Also, when you had it transferred to CA FFL in should have been checked through the state system.
That should have caught the stolen status then.

I'd visit the SO and speak to an officer or detective about this.

[bp10]

whoever sold you the firearm will be contacted they sold a possibly stolen firearm. a friend of mine bought a sw 41 mag 20plus years ago and when he sold it here it came back stolen and was seized by leos. he refunded money and lost the firearm. Never heard anything after that.

I tried contacted the FFL who originally sold it to me but they have ignored me. Heck, it was a while ago when I purchased it from them so IMO thats understandable. i'd be hesitant if it we me that sold something , then 8 years later someone came back and tried to tell me I f***ed up....

[bp10]

14 months to confirm a stolen firearm? That's weird. Either it would have been returned to the entering agency by now or someone is being lazy.

Since serial numbers weren't unique between manufacturers are you sure the firearm you bought is the one reported stolen? Also, when you had it transferred to CA FFL in should have been checked through the state system.
That should have caught the stolen status then.

I'd visit the SO and speak to an officer or detective about this.

Thank you...guess its time to return to the local sheriff and try to have another conversation...Their explanation to me was that AZ and CA weren't communicating on SN# at the time I originally did the transfer (2011) thus it was not caught then....however the frustrating part was that it was on my CCW up until 2019 when I re-certed...that was when it was discovered?

This doesn't make total sense to me, thats where I was hoping this discussion might shed some light.

Thanks for the reply

[norcal77]

Not sure why Sheriff is slacking, get the ATF involved if you wanna shake some trees.

[damon1272]

Walk away.

[onelonehorseman]

Perhaps the alleged AZ owner is no longer around for anyone to contact about it (deceased)?

There may be a question concerning the accuracy of the original police report . . . . example, hand written report could have SN difficult to read?

Otherwise, I can't imagine why it would take so long to determine if the gun is actually stolen, or not.

Seems strange. If the local Sheriff is willing to return it to you, perhaps you should retrieve it.

[ianagos]

I say just pick it up. They know how to contact you if they want it back. You are not doing anything wrong.

[homelessdude]

You let the gorilla into the room. Don't be surprised if it doesn't want to leave. I'd go talk to the sherif and try to get possession of if. If not I would just write it off as a life lesion and move on.

[August]

I would take it back for now, but I would not use it for CCW purposes.

[splithoof]

I say just pick it up. They know how to contact you if they want it back. You are not doing anything wrong.

Exactly. Seems that they (sheriff?) wish you to come retrieve your property.
You have done your due diligence. You returned their initial call, answered all their questions, cited that it "may" be a clerical error of some sorts, and they have had possession of the firearm for fourteen months. If they want you to pick it up, do it now. If for some reason in the future they wish it back, they will easily be able to contact you.
If you are troubled by having it listed on your permit, simply tuck it away in the back of the safe and don't list it. Down the road you may change your mind.

[homelessdude]

Your all asuming the sheriff will just hand it over. I wouldn't bet on it.

[Tarmy]

Sometimes it is best to move on.

Who knows...you may be carrying it one day and use it...and it comes back stolen again. Then you have a really big mess....

Unless it has sentimental value, is a custom piece...or is just a gun you gotta have...move on.

[splithoof]

Your all asuming the sheriff will just hand it over. I wouldn't bet on it.

The way I'm reading this is that the OP has been asked to pick it up; if he then has to go through the LEGR process, and completes that, I couldn't imagine how in the world he has any liability for it as being "stolen".