WWCG do? Advice on how to reacquire firearms needed.

[Bird of Fire]

So late last year I went through the process of divorcing my ex wife. When I left the home I took all the guns save for 2 - a ruger and a walther. I took the slides off the guns and kept those with me, she has the frames. I took them because I didn't trust her farther than I could throw her, and initially the pistols were purchased as gifts. When I left I wasn't sure which way the property would be divided so I figured she would want the two pistols I purchased as a gift for her.

Well low and behold during the divorce property listings, she wanted me to have all the guns. Super. Fantastic. Papers are all filed, judge signed off on it, and everything is going good. I tell her to get me the pistols as they were purchased in my name, and are now rightfully my property and I would appreciate it. She stated that she would do so. Well that was back in June or July, divorce was finalized just this October.

She still lives in my vicinity and states that the pistols are either in a box in her garage, or they might be at another house she was renting a room from in a neighboring town, she just has a bunch of boxes to go through to find them, but won't. I really could go the rest of my life without speaking to her again and despise the idea of calling her repeatedly to ask her where my guns are only to hear excuse after excuse (which is what I did earlier today to see if she plans on getting me them before the end of the year or not, and she stated she just started looking, but I've heard that before).

So what else can I do? I'm not looking to put the screws to her at all (although I have every right to do so from a moral standpoint) but I just want the damn guns back. Do I report them stolen? No longer in possession of? Go through the courts (please don't make me go back there) or....or what? Anyone been through a similar situation?

And no, at this point in time I do not know where she currently lives, nor do I know where the other home is specifically located. The frustrating thing is the guns are in a box with other irreplaceable family mementos according to her, and I really just want my damn stuff back. I plan on selling the guns anyways on here once I get them back.

So...WWCG do in my shoes?

[cannon]

If the guns are the only thing. I'd fill out an interfamily transfer and just walk away.

[Bird of Fire]

That's the thing - no longer family. Complete strangers as far as the eyes of the law are currently concerned.

[ljdouglas]

Offer to split the proceeds. Nothing like a monetary incentive. Seems like the alternative is to walk away, and that gains nobody anything.

[Bird of Fire]

Offer to split the proceeds. Nothing like a monetary incentive. Seems like the alternative is to walk away, and that gains nobody anything.

She makes jack **** and is shacking up with some other guy. Asking her for money is pretty pointless. :\

[ljdouglas]

She makes jack **** and is shacking up with some other guy. Asking her for money is pretty pointless. :\

Perhaps I was unclear. You don't ask her for money, you ask for the firearms with the promise that YOU will split the proceeds with her in some fashion. You wouldn't be asking her for money, you would be getting money in her pocket.

[Divernhunter]

Having been down that road I can say going to court is a waste of money and time. If that is all I would just wait and if she does not return them just walk away, report them as her having them(do not worry about the slides) and count your blessings you are rid of her and the whole mess.

[Bird of Fire]

Perhaps I was unclear. You don't ask her for money, you ask for the firearms with the promise that YOU will split the proceeds with her in some fashion. You wouldn't be asking her for money, you would be getting money in her pocket.

Ah indeed sir, I did misunderstand you, my apologies. That's a possibility as well as much as I would hate to throw any more money at her than I already have. :\

Having been down that road I can say going to court is a waste of money and time. If that is all I would just wait and if she does not return them just walk away, report them as her having them(do not worry about the slides) and count your blessings you are rid of her and the whole mess.

I'm almost to that point and I figure if I don't see them by the end of the year I'm likely going to do just that and wash my hands of it. Just frustrating as the money would be a nice lil bit of change in my pocket, and whenever something was discovered of hers that I had, I got it to her as quick as I could to be done with this ordeal. That and I know she likes having them as it gives her one final reason to stay in contact with me.

[Ogolden1]

Since they are legally in your name, I would be concerned about negative future possibilities.

I would file a Police Report! ... Give them a copy of the divorce settlement which shows that they are your property. I don't think it would be "out of line" to claim that they are "stolen property", as she has had a reasonable amount of time to return your property to you! A visit from some LEO's would most likely motivate her to start digging thru boxes!

[Divernhunter]

You will find in time the money will mean less and less but being rid of her will mean more and more. It is a good trade-off-----Trust me. Also by "giving up" on them she will get the idea that you do not want anymore "contact" ever and to me that is worth much more than the guns.

However if you really want them back one way to put the pressure on is take her to small claims court. Then maybe you can get the police involved if she does not comply. But do not count on it and really it is not worth the trouble to you and the satisfaction of getting attention(contact) she will get.

Walk(no run) away and be happy to get along with your life.

[russ69]

...she just has a bunch of boxes to go through to find them, but won't...

Just forget them for now. If they show up someday, great, otherwise don't even waste your time thinking about them.

Thanx, Russ

[Bird of Fire]

Since they are legally in your name, I would be concerned about negative future possibilities.

The potential for legal liability is what has me on edge about her having them in her possession really. The money and everything else is meh, but still would be nice to have. This is why I might just submit a no longer in possession of form.

For those wishing me to move on, oh don't worry I've had plenty of fun dating beautiful women that are wrong for me (but good for a night or two), and beautiful women that are right for me. I'm definitely over her, just wish this last piece would go away is all. I'm doing just fine now from a mental/emotional aspect. But I thank you all for your concerns and excellent advice.

[Rivers]

I'd lower the pressure and explain that with CA laws against improperly stored firearms, if a child manages to get possession of one of HER guns and is injured, SHE will be held CRIMINALLY liable. You're trying to help her out in this situation but if a CHILD gets hurt or killed, SHE is going to jail and might also be sued in civil court.

Put this in terms that she understands. She only cares about herself so explain to her that this is all about protecting her interests. Don't talk about how you might benefit from her doing what she should have done anyway.