Stolen Handgun, inheritance

[JoshuaS]

So my grandfather died, and he had two handguns. We know one of them he stole in the late 1950's at a racetrack, from someone's car (Note: he reformed his life later on, early 70's).

My mother thinks the best course of action is to dispose of both (since we don't know which was stolen, which wasn't...both 1911's. One of them I think is from when he served in WWII). I figure statute of limitations is long gone, and chances of either ever having been registered are slim, slimmer to find the register. I have a cousin who is a cop. Figure he could check, on the off chance that the owner or the owner's family could be identified. Then we would know which was which. And if not, we could sell one and donate the money to charity as a sort of reparation for the fact that it was stolen.

But my mom thought we could get in legal trouble. I cannot see how that would be the case, 60 years after the deed?

[Jet Setter]

Have your cousin check the serial numbers. If they come up clean then you are gtg.

[Dvrjon]

Stop telling people you are in possession of stolen property. Gramps may have said he did something back in the day, but there's no reason at this point to besmirch his memory and good name.

Fill out the DOJ paperwork and send it in. You'll have to do this even if your cousin runs the numbers and they come back clean. So save the hassle and run the paperwork. (It will also keep your cousin out of potential work conflicts). The form is here:

http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/pdfs/firearms/forms/oplaw.pdf

$19 for both guns.

If there's an issue, DOJ can clarify. If there's a problem, you can tell them exactly where Gramps can be found.

If there's no problem, you can enjoy Gramp's legacy.
JR

[russ69]

...no reason at this point to besmirch his memory and good name...

It doesn't sound like Gramps had a good name, it sounds like he was a thief.

[JoshuaS]

It doesn't sound like Gramps had a good name, it sounds like he was a thief.

He reformed himself in the early 1970's. I am not even sure he remembered all the junk he had or that he had this gun. It only came up, before, because when moving he was asked about it.

In anycase, I think the right thing to do would be to run the DOJ paperwork. If both are clean and the DOJ raises no issue, sell one and donate the money to charity as an act of reparation for it having been stolen.

[welchy]

Tell your mom I'll dispose of them for you. PM me and I'll give you my contact info.

[Dvrjon]

It doesn't sound like Gramps had a good name, it sounds like he was a thief.

I didn't realize God was listening in. Nice Final Judgment. Totally irrelevant, as he is dead and gone, and the real deal has already passed judgment.

For the OP, donation of money to a disinterested 3d party does not provide reparation for Gramp's past Acts. It's a hollow gesture. His recovery of his life and integrity are sufficient. Move on.

JR

[bkk6869]

if you really feel the need to sell one and donate, send it to the NRA. otherwise, say a thanks to gramps for leaving 2 guns instead of one and move on.

[BBB114]

Gramps

Gramps may have embellished a bit to give himself "street cred" or whatever they call it now. You dont know which gun is which, or even if it really happened. Send in the DOJ registration like what was previously stated and be done with it.

Boyan

[joepamjohn]

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was my car at the race track. PM me, I would like it back...