Possible stolen gun?/ failure to transfer

[Padavic]

I was "friends" with a guy for about a year or so and we got along really well. I had a colt m4 22lr he was interested in so I traded it to him for camping gear and other equipment. When he brought the gear over, I let him take the gun to "check it out" on condition that we transfer it at the end of the week-no problem....

Out of nowhere, his girlfriend leaves him,so he puts in a transfer at work and then his dad dies. He would see each other a couple of times a week- we were bros...or so I thought.

Now he has left town without transfering the gun and when I texted him today telling him he needed come into to town and return the gun or transfer it within thirty days he texted back with:

Lol. Feel free to come here whenever and get it. haha. I don't know when dude.

What do I do now????

I realize I made a mistake in letting the weapon leave my hands but I thought it wasn't a big deal at the time, now I am very worried-

What do I do now?

Do I report it stolen-I thought that I needed to-

Or is there another course of action?

What say you?

[halifax]

He doesn't realize (or care) that firearms are treated quite differently under the law than other property. Tell him you have no choice but to report the firearm you loaned him as stolen if for no other reason than to CYA.

[bruss01]

He texted you saying to come get it.

So, go get it.

Problem solved.

If you show up to get it (or if he's gone into hiding, won't give you his address) THEN you need to be frank and let him know "Hey, I'm trying to be decent because we've been friend and all, but I need the money, or the gun... because without either, it comes down to theft, and neither of us wants to go there (as in, could be felony charges) and would like to keep this all decent between us instead".

Just lay it on the line and see what response you get. If more BS, text back "Ok, sorry you feel that way, if we can't come to a better understanding in 48 hrs I have no choice to report the gun stolen and claim it on my insurance, and your name will be going on that police report. Sorry we couldn't work this out like the friends we used to be."

If you don't have insurance, he doesn't need to know that.

[RazzB7]

He texted you saying to come get it.

So, go get it.

Problem solved.

+1

[one*eyed*jack]

How far did he move? I realize its his responsibility to get together to transfer it, but maybe its in your best interests to go get it if its close enough.

[Padavic]

Sorry! He left to Stockton and I am in L.A.- Thats about a third of the value of the gun in gas alone to go get it from him after asking him several times while he was here to get the transfer complete-

[paul0660]

After thirty days from the day you lent it to him, it IS stolen.

[bruss01]

Given the situation, he's being an a-hole, but your best option is still to go get it. The gas money is the price of purchasing the good judgment to never do suchlike again.

Sorry your friend turned out to not be such a "friend". But there are lots of people like that in the world, he won't be the only one you come across.

[RazzB7]

Sorry! He left to Stockton and I am in L.A.- Thats about a third of the value of the gun in gas alone to go get it from him after asking him several times while he was here to get the transfer complete-

You're looking at this the wrong way. Instead of it being 1/3 of the value of the gun in gas. You should be looking at it as appx. 1% of the lawyers fees you will be facing for an illegal transfer/failure to transfer. At that price, gas is cheap!

[Montu]

go get it or have it shipped back?

[Padavic]

ok -just texted him and i will drive the 5-6 hours each way to pick it up. I guess i'll give him a couple of hours to respond to my text.- If he doesn't respond to this offer tonight, then what?

[greybeard]

Do not tell him when you are coming so he is not in town.

[Mr310]

ok -just texted him and i will drive the 5-6 hours each way to pick it up. I guess i'll give him a couple of hours to respond to my text.- If he doesn't respond to this offer tonight, then what?

Call the police and report it stolen. You can't keep on giving slack on an issue such as this.

[SmokinMr2]

You took his gear in trade and gave him the gun?
That isn't stolen. That's paid for.

Life happens.
Go get it if you think you have some right to it, or better still...go transfer it.

I wonder what is worse...having a 22 rifle in your name (maybe) but not in your possession or filing a false police report?

It's not like you register a rifle anyway. Really looks like a non issue but go get it transfered.

[c good]

Don't waste too much time or gas money on this dirtbag. Tell him you'll give him " X " number of days to return the rifle or you will report it stolen. PERIOD. Then stick to your demand. It's not your responsibility to go get it. It's HIS responsibility to return it to you. What a SCUMBAG! JMHO. c good