Someone committed suicide with a gun under my name - how do I get it back?

[Ocguy31]

The form says the results are limited on rifles and shotguns, but "limited" isn't "non existent"

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/AFSPrivateCitizen.pdf

You say it is "under your name," but after being here for 1500 posts, I would figure you understand that it never was nor is currently registered to you.

[anti]

The form says the results are limited on rifles and shotguns, but "limited" isn't "non existent"

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/AFSPrivateCitizen.pdf

You say it is "under your name," but after being here for 1500 posts, I would figure you understand that it never was nor is currently registered to you.

I understand that and my original account is actually even older than this one, but the cops claimed it was "under my name" but I guess they meant it was connected to me as I was the prior owner. I'm assuming the guy who died was the legal owner of the shotgun, and if he has nobody to claim it, then they'd just destroy it which is why I'm asking if there's any way get it back. I'll most likely just let it go at this point. And I'm just telling it like it is, take it or leave it...

[Ocguy31]

Don't listen to the absolutists who would say you shouldn't have even given them your name, but in the future, if a consensual conversation ever gets to the point where you feel you need to produce a document to clear your name......stop the conversation and handle it through an attorney. At least that is what I would do, although in the moment is always different then behind a keyboard.

Have you requested the report I linked? I'd be interested in what they look like.

[anti]

Don't listen to the absolutists who would say you shouldn't have even given them your name, but in the future, if a consensual conversation ever gets to the point where you feel you need to produce a document to clear your name......stop the conversation and handle it through an attorney. At least that is what I would do, although in the moment is always different then behind a keyboard.

Have you requested the report I linked? I'd be interested in what they look like.

That sounds like good advice, but yes, it definitely took me by surprise. When my step father called me as I was driving home from work to tell me that two plain clothes detectives had questions about a gun for me, it shocked the hell out of me. Which report are you referring to? The gun records form? I'm confused by what you mean "what they look like". My record?

edit - and they didn't ask for any forms, I told them I may have it in my records folder, and thankfully I did.

[bbgughj]

Get it back, at least you know it works

[liberallyloaded]

While you're at it, You should try to get Kurt Cobains shotgun. Maybe start a collection of suicide shotguns.




("Suicide Shotguns" would be a good band name.)

^ I'm with this guy... who... would want this back?

[9M62]

I like your explanation, but don't you think that if it was standard procedure, there would be more anecdotal evidence?

I just don't see detectives wasting time and resources tracking down PPT sellers just to confirm they owned it or didn't sneak into the buyer's house and stage a suicide years later.

The scene could have been laid out in a manner that wasn't 100% for sure a suicide. Just to be safe it doesn't take much effort to get the original 4473 and contact the seller.

I'm speculating as to why they would question the OP, admittingly. However, te process with how they locate him - that's a very common practice.

[lakai]

Sounds like you should FOIA for your records.

[Subotai]

and it could have been poor choice of wording by the detective but he asked "Why is a gun in your name in (insert city here) if you don't know anyone there?"

What a wad.

[Garand1911]

Im not sure how Cal DOJ keeps their dros/firearms records, but there could be a bunch of names tied to the gun, for every time it changes hands. I doubt the DOJ deletes the previous owner, they just add on a new person.
That is IF IF IF they even bothered to input the new owner, or input a correct serial number. How lazy or crappy is DOJ record keeping ??

[greg36f]

What a wad.

No, a WAD is someone who works really really hard to find an excuse to make a snarky statement.

"If you don't know anyone there, how did your gun end up there" sounds like a reasonable question.

Just like, "I don't know, I sold it in 2008 and here is the receipt" is a reasonable answer.

It's quite possible that the suicide had some questionable elements to it and the detectives were just doing what they are paid to do; investigate!

If it were your family member, I'm sure you would want all the bases covered.

[Condorguns]

Im not sure how Cal DOJ keeps their dros/firearms records, but there could be a bunch of names tied to the gun, for every time it changes hands. I doubt the DOJ deletes the previous owner, they just add on a new person.
That is IF IF IF they even bothered to input the new owner, or input a correct serial number. How lazy or crappy is DOJ record keeping ??

For a long gun in California before 2014 DOJ will have nothing. The only record will be in bound books and 4473's, all held at the respective FFLs.
If the PD wants to know where the gun came from they have to ask ATF tracing center to find out.
ATF contacts Mossberg
Mossberg tells them what distributor the gun was shipped to
The Distributor tells what FFL got it.
The FFL is then contacted and they search the bound book and 4473 stored on their premise for the person who bought it.
In this case the info would come back to the grandfather. OP inherited this so there is no 4473 with his name on it. Just a quick entry into a bound book when he sold it.
I'm guessing here but the PD probably contacted the family originally looking for the Grandfather. When they asked the family said he was deceased and that the grandson got the gun. The PD asks the grandson where the gun is. He tells the FFL who he sold it to, and the long winding bunny trail continues. God only knows how many owners and FFL'S this gun has gone through in 6 years.

[Epaphroditus]

Yet another reason to never sell ones firearms.

[glockster]

Anti, your moral compass has gone askew.....multiple times in this thread.

[decepticon6551]

Nobody else in my family was approached by the cops before me.

but, but, but...

When my step father called me as I was driving home from work to tell me that two plain clothes detectives had questions about a gun for me, it shocked the hell out of me.

Seems like they tracked down the FFL & when they discovered that your grandfather had passed, they tried to move on to your mother. When looking for your mother, they made contact with your stepfather. It was your stepfather that pointed them in your direction.

Mystery solved

I understand that and my original account is actually even older than this one,

Who were you before?