Storage Wars / Hunters and Guns

[bigthaiboy]

So occasionally on shows like Auction Hunters, Storage Wars and Storage Hunters, someone will buy a storage unit and find C&R and modern handguns, long guns, shotguns, etc. For example, on one show, the buyers found an off-roster HK P7 inside a safe and sold the pistol to a dealer for $250.

What is the State and Federal position in taking possession of firearms found in a storage unit purchased at auction (assuming you are not prohibited to own firearms), and bearing in mind all three of these shows take place in California?

[SouperMan]

The owner of the storage facility acts as the owner of the gun, and uses a offline to transfer the firearm. Same rules apply as a regular PPT as I believe.

Sent from my mobile via Tapatalk.

[iamgbot]

The owner of the storage facility acts as the owner of the gun, and uses a offline to transfer the firearm. Same rules apply as a regular PPT as I believe.

Not true, I work for a storage company. At every auction we explain to them that any firearms found in unit must be reported to the local police department. There is to much liability and legality issues. This is why we (storage company) clear our selves for this.
Besides, storage wars is fixed, they filmed at a few of our facilities and scheduled a few more tapings. Real auctions but goodies added to make for a good show.

[bigthaiboy]

Not true, I work for a storage company. At every auction we explain to them that any firearms found in unit must be reported to the local police department. There is to much liability and legality issues. This is why we (storage company) clear our selves for this.
Besides, storage wars is fixed, they filmed at a few of our facilities and scheduled a few more tapings. Real auctions but goodies added to make for a good show.

Yes, I appreciate pretty much all of these shows are staged for entertainment, but I'm interested in the legal aspects. So what happens to the firearms once it is reported to PD? Is the buyer eventually allowed to take possession if the firearm is cleared of being stolen or used in a crime, or do they have to be surrendered to PD?

[Quiet]

Yes, I appreciate pretty much all of these shows are staged for entertainment, but I'm interested in the legal aspects. So what happens to the firearms once it is reported to PD? Is the buyer eventually allowed to take possession if the firearm is cleared of being stolen or used in a crime, or do they have to be surrendered to PD?

AFAIK...
It's like other types of found property...
If no one claims it in 90 days, you can claim it.
Have to let them (LE agency) know you want it if no one claims it, otherwise it gets destroyed/auctioned by the LE agency.

[stillwater562]

Most of the time the auctioneer will act as the 'Owner' of the unit since he sold it to you, at least thats what Dan does, the auctioneer on Storage Wars, I have asked him before about it and this was his responce.

[five.five-six]

Brandy is hot

[boxl0bster]

Brandy is hot

^^^THIS, I wasn't really into the show until they started to show more of her.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

^^^^

And crazy amounts of attitude to spare.

[dieselpower]

AFAIK, there are no special laws for auctions of commercially seized property. They must follow the rules of law. The auction can NOT just give the highest bider the firearm. If the bidder wants the firearm, they must wait ten days and do a DROS just like a normal PTP.

Anyone taking possession of a firearm in CA (not family) must go through an FFL.

The Storage company or Auctioneer acts like an Executor of a Will & Trust. They do not take possession of the firearm, but facilitate the transfer to another person UNDER THE RULES OF LAW.

So to answer your question... If you buy a storage unit and a non-AW is found, you arrange an FFL to take possession of it so you can wait your 10 days and do a DROS. If you just want to sell it to the FFL thats cool too, which is what you saw in the TV show.

If its an AW...it goes to the police for destruction. I do not believe Actions are covered under the Will & Trust clause allowing Executors to transfer AW firearms out of State.

...and what if the firearm or property was reported STOLEN... think about it. If I report a gun stolen from me and 2 years later you are selling it to an FFL, either you or the owner of the Storage unit stole my firearm... or acquired it some other way... That isn't my concern...thanx for my firearm back. Thats why you SHOULD be calling the police for them to take possession as soon as you find any serialized property that could be reported stolen. If the police release it back to you, you are then the legal owner.

[SouthCoastTargets]

Not true, I work for a storage company. At every auction we explain to them that any firearms found in unit must be reported to the local police department. There is to much liability and legality issues. This is why we (storage company) clear our selves for this.
Besides, storage wars is fixed, they filmed at a few of our facilities and scheduled a few more tapings. Real auctions but goodies added to make for a good show.

I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! some of the stuff they find just does not belong in the particular unit they find it in.

[ke6guj]

AFAIK, there are no special laws for auctions of commercially seized property. They must follow the rules of law. The auction can NOT just give the highest bider the firearm. If the bidder wants the firearm, they must wait ten days and do a DROS just like a normal PTP.

Anyone taking possession of a firearm in CA (not family) must go through an FFL.

The Storage company or Auctioneer acts like an Executor of a Will & Trust. They do not take possession of the firearm, but facilitate the transfer to another person UNDER THE RULES OF LAW.

So to answer your question... If you buy a storage unit and a non-AW is found, you arrange an FFL to take possession of it so you can wait your 10 days and do a DROS. If you just want to sell it to the FFL thats cool too, which is what you saw in the TV show.

If its an AW...it goes to the police for destruction. I do not believe Actions are covered under the Will & Trust clause allowing Executors to transfer AW firearms out of State.

I thought that by buying the storage unit, you take legal ownership of any firearms by "operation of law". CA PC allows for "operation of law" transfers.



26500. (a) No person shall sell, lease, or transfer firearms unless
the person has been issued a license pursuant to Article 1
(commencing with Section 26700) and Article 2 (commencing with
Section 26800) of Chapter 2.
(b) Any person violating this article is guilty of a misdemeanor.



26505. Section 26500 does not apply to the sale, lease, or transfer
of any firearm by any of the following:
(a) A person acting pursuant to operation of law.