Transfer of ownership... Not quite

[dvlsadvc8]

A buddy of mine owns a couple of firearms... So I thought... he recently revealed how he acquired them. Turns out that he has 3 firearms that were "given" to him. Here's what he told me:

His ex-girlfriend's father had passed, and a year later while the mom and girlfriend was cleaning out the father's belongings, they found 3 firearms. No one in the family had any interest in the firearms, so they asked if my buddy wanted to take them, and he did.

That was 15 years ago... He longer keeps in touch with the ex or the family.

How would he go about legally owning these guns? I don't know if he knows the whereabouts of his ex if he needed to contact her.

Suggestions?

[Burbur]

I just read the same topic in another thread, but can't find it ATM.

Long story short, the crime was 15 years ago, statute of limitations is long over. These guns are his. He can voluntarily register them... Maybe someone will chime in with a link to the other thread.

edit: found it http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=547274

[dvlsadvc8]

Great, thanks for the info. Looks like he's covered with statue of limitation, but I'll let him know that he should register them anyway.

[CHS]

If they're handguns, he really should register them. If they are long guns, there is no need.

[dvlsadvc8]

Definitely, two hand guns and a rifle.

[Steve1968LS2]

A crime was commited but the statute of limitations has long ran out. He just needs to do a Volunteer Registration with the DOJ and they are his (unless the serial numbers pop up as stolen or some other drama).

The DOJ just wants guns on paper.. they are less concerned about and illegal transfer over a decade ago.