My friend found a Ruger. What can we do?

[G17Warrior]

My friend recently found an old Ruger 10/22 in the attic of a house he just moved into. He tried contacting the previous owner, but hasn't had any luck tracking him down. His first thought was to throw it the trash, but decided not to because it's just not the responsible thing to do. Is there a way to track down the owner by the serial number? or can he transfer it so that it legally becomes his? If all else fails he's willing to turn it in to the Police Department. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[omnitravis]

The original owner obviously wasnt responsible enough to own it. That would be pretty neat if he can legally have it transferred to himself. I wish him luck.

[DaveInOroValley]

I'm not sure that any record would be kept on a rifle that would require a "transfer".

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

Sounds to me like your friend has a new rifle. I would recommend having the serial number checked to ensure its not stolen but other than that, I think he has done his due diligence. Assuming, of course, your friend is not a prohibited person.

[IA300]

Sounds to me like your friend has a new rifle. I would recommend having the serial number checked to ensure its not stolen but other than that, I think he has done his due diligence. Assuming, of course, your friend is not a prohibited person.

What he said!

[MigNoche]

Congrats! I wish I was lucky enough to find guns

[Ron-Solo]

Sounds to me like your friend has a new rifle. I would recommend having the serial number checked to ensure its not stolen but other than that, I think he has done his due diligence. Assuming, of course, your friend is not a prohibited person.

What he said!

WRONG ANSWER! You are obviously not law enforcement, so why don't you stop posting in the LE forum when you don't have a clue.

This is "found property" and misappropriation of found property is legally considered theft under 485 PC. The theft of any firearm, regardless of the value, is considered Grand Theft, a felony.

The stupid move you suggested is encouraging someone to commit a felony.

The OP needs to turn it in to the local police, who will determine its status. If it is not stolen or determined to have been involved in criminal activity, the OP can file a claim to recover it.

Is it really worth risking your freedom over a rifle that can easily be picked up used for less than $200 all the time?

[G17Warrior]

How would he go about checking the serial number to see if it was stolen?

[BoJackUSMC]

OP listen to Ron-Solo.. he knows his stuff. Report it to local police or gun buy back program at worse case. Do not try to keep it before reporting it to your local police first.

[Jester3]

As Ron Solo said, take it to your local law enforcement office, explain the situation and they will take the ball from there. Bad juju if you try to do the investigation yourself.

[Ron-Solo]

How would he go about checking the serial number to see if it was stolen?

Call the police department that covers that area and advise them you have a found firearm. They will give you a receipt and instructions on the procedures for claiming found property.

[ElDub1950]

Sounds to me like your friend has a new rifle. I would recommend having the serial number checked to ensure its not stolen but other than that, I think he has done his due diligence. Assuming, of course, your friend is not a prohibited person.

I second that!

What Luck! The only thing I ever find that previous owners/tenants left behind and toxic chemicals and dead car batteries!

[Superduper2013]

WRONG ANSWER! You are obviously not law enforcement, so why don't you stop posting in the LE forum when you don't have a clue.

This is "found property" and misappropriation of found property is legally considered theft under 485 PC. The theft of any firearm, regardless of the value, is considered Grand Theft, a felony.

The stupid move you suggested is encouraging someone to commit a felony.

The OP needs to turn it in to the local police, who will determine its status. If it is not stolen or determined to have been involved in criminal activity, the OP can file a claim to recover it.

Is it really worth risking your freedom over a rifle that can easily be picked up used for less than $200 all the time?

California Penal Code Section 485

Legal Research Home > California Laws > Penal Code > California Penal Code Section 485

One who finds lost property under circumstances which give him
knowledge of or means of inquiry as to the true owner, and who
appropriates such property to his own use, or to the use of another
person not entitled thereto, without first making reasonable and just
efforts to find the owner and to restore the property to him, is
guilty of theft.


OP already stated that he found it abandoned in his house and unsure who owns it.

[IA300]

WRONG ANSWER! You are obviously not law enforcement, so why don't you stop posting in the LE forum when you don't have a clue.

This is "found property" and misappropriation of found property is legally considered theft under 485 PC. The theft of any firearm, regardless of the value, is considered Grand Theft, a felony.

The stupid move you suggested is encouraging someone to commit a felony.

The OP needs to turn it in to the local police, who will determine its status. If it is not stolen or determined to have been involved in criminal activity, the OP can file a claim to recover it.

Is it really worth risking your freedom over a rifle that can easily be picked up used for less than $200 all the time?

Good advice as to the thoroughness of the process. Having the SN checked would require him to take the gun to the locals.
That being said, 485 also specifically states, "finding lost property under circumstances which give him knowledge or means of inquiry as to the true owner...without first making reasonable and just efforts to find the owner and to restore the property..."
Hence the due diligence portion of drdarrins statement.
Sorry to offend you, I took a shorter version of the same advice you gave.

[fredridge]

sounds like he has already made reasonable attempts.

Not only that, did his friend by the house? Wouldn't he be the owner of any property found inside.

If they left a dining room table, is that theft?

What about a garden hose or tools?

California Penal Code Section 485

Legal Research Home > California Laws > Penal Code > California Penal Code Section 485

One who finds lost property under circumstances which give him
knowledge of or means of inquiry as to the true owner, and who
appropriates such property to his own use, or to the use of another
person not entitled thereto, without first making reasonable and just
efforts to find the owner and to restore the property to him, is
guilty of theft.


OP already stated that he found it abandoned in his house and unsure who owns it.