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

[Epaphroditus]

See how insidious registration works? Comply or go bankrupt fighting for your rights - some options you got there.

[Garv]

See what it would take to get it and clear the books.
If easy, why not?
Maybe get it in writing that it is legally yours from them.

If you have to hire a lawyer, etc., pass.

If they said it is stolen, they should not give it back to you so something is funny here or it is a clerical error.
Somebody did not do their job several times over if stolen.

As August said, remove from CCW.

[baggss]

I'm confused, so please bear with me here. The question isn't directly related to the firearm.

You talk about the County in which you are re-certing and then you mention calling the local Sherriff. Are you re-certing in a county other than the one you live in? If not, then isn't the local Sherriff the ones who are re-certting you, or is it a local PD? Just seems oddly worded since the folks that are re-certing you and told you it was stolen would seem to be the same folks who you called to come out and were hesitant take the gun away. Am I missing something here?

[RandyD]

This is how I see it. You took possession of the handgun, in a legal transaction that involved The State of California's government. Years later, you receive a notice that the firearm is stolen. You surrendered the firearm to the sheriff, and they want you to pick it up.

Pick it up, use it, and if a government agency wants it back, they know how to contact you to get it.

I would contact the ATF about the FFL not cooperating when there is an indication that he sold a stolen firearm.

[SVT-40]

Why don't you contact the department in AZ where the firearm with the same SN was reported stolen? Confirm the make and model which was actually reported.

You should be able to get the AZ's agencies case number from the dept you released your pistol to.

Once you have their case number contact that agencies detective bureau and find out what detective is handling the case. Call him and confirm the make model and SN that is listed in their report.

I'm guessing that there has been a mistake made somewhere either in the SN or the make and model.

It's not uncommon.

[SkyHawk]

Why don't you contact the department in AZ where the firearm with the same SN was reported stolen? Confirm the make and model which was actually reported.
...

I'm guessing that there has been a mistake made somewhere either in the SN or the make and model.

It's not uncommon.

THIS AND THIS ^^^^^

Chances are good it was an error. And you might get more traction working with the AZ LE agency yourself.

[IVC]

Agree with most of what's been said here...

If it was me, I wouldn't have given it up during the process of figuring out the issue with the S/N, but that's easy for me to say now. Also, for that amount, I wouldn't worry and would just let it play out - by the time you try anything other than calling, you've wasted more time and money than what the gun is worth. Again, easy for me to say...

If anything, contacting the correct agencies as SVT-40 suggests above is worth trying. You'll find out what's going on or you'll find out it's not worth the effort. Either way you get a closure.

[pacrat]

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.

Now that you have tried to do what you thought best. And it turned into a bureaucratic Charlie Foxtrot.

I suggest, you contact your local LEA property clerk, that has/had your pistol. And find out if they even still have it?

If confirmed. File a state mandated LEGR. Pay the extortion. And get your pistol back.

[RTE]

Probably a clerical error.
If you can get it back then you would know where it is.
Perhaps contact AZ police/sheriff department to determine status since California is moving slowly on a decision.

Depending on the type pistol, you could part it out or if you could get last ownership info and work off of that?

Still sounds like a hassle over a clerical error.
You should be able to get a copy of the stolen firearm report considering that it's your property.

[Oldmandan]

After 14 months, I would let it go... not worth my time anymore

[357manny]

OP, You are a patient man.

Personally, I wouldn't have given the sheriff the firearm in the firstplace--only because they didn't sound like they were wanting to take it.

That being said, if you have the time and patience and desire to keep trying to get it back--I say go for it.

Me personally? I would walk away. Not that I don't have time and patience, but I wouldn't know where to begin to get it back. Better yet, I would chalk this one up as a lesson, whatever lesson I could get out of it, and go and buy a replacement firearm.

[sigstroker]

So your sheriff still has it? Weird. They're also wrong about it being legally your property if it's stolen. You just lose it and it goes back to the rightful owner. If it's stolen the original sale to you shouldn't have happened because the store owner is supposed to check the NCIC database before they can sell it.

I had a J frame stolen from a place in AZ, and was found when a sale was attempted, but I got it back. Prior to 2019 though. Never heard what happened with the shop and the person that sold it to the shop, but someone was out some money for sure.

[pacrat]

So your sheriff still has it? Weird. They're also wrong about it being legally your property if it's stolen. You just lose it and it goes back to the rightful owner. If it's stolen the original sale to you shouldn't have happened because the store owner is supposed to check the NCIC database before they can sell it.

I had a J frame stolen from a place in AZ, and was found when a sale was attempted, but I got it back. Prior to 2019 though. Never heard what happened with the shop and the person that sold it to the shop, but someone was out some money for sure.

First of, I believe you may be conflating "NCIC"... [National Crime Information Center].

With "NICS"....

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/nics

There is no onus for ANY FFL to actually check the NICS database. Because they cannot do it.

The NICS BG check is part of the 4473 process. If the FFL doesn't get a hold from the Feds. They must deliver the gun.

[bp10]

Ok, so a little bit of an update...

Finally was able to speak with someone in the SO who was in the know of this case. They told me a bunch of conflicting things, then finally went on to add that there is no longer a report of this firearm having been stolen.

Just sent off the LEGR yesterday, with my $20, to the CA DOJ. Very interested to see what this turns up.

Thus far I'm not upset that it has been 16ish months since the SO called me to tell me that my firearm was stolen, but I'm definitely feeling a bit shafted by CA that I have to pay $20 to receive my firearm.

According to the LEGR the $20 will be waived if the firearm was stolen and the LEGR app was accompanied by a police report stating this, however, not the case for me. Oh well, can't wait to see what the CA DOJ comes back with.

Again, thanks for all the input.

[Garv]

Thanks for the update.