Gun lost in FFL Fire

[gunlostinfire]

Hi Folks,

I originally asked this on Reddit and someone suggested I ask in here. I was just informed that my FFL was affected by the wildfires in California. I shared my condolences with him and asked him to focus on his situation.

A gun I ordered online, did DROS paperwork for, and paid sales tax on might potentially be gone since it was inside the place. I am not going to ask him this because this is is the least of his concerns but what happens in this case?

[edgerly779]

Yes you ask him about status of your firearm. He better have insurance he is on the hook for it. He took on the responsibilty for your firearm he has custody.

[sonofeugene]

One way or another you'll either get your gun or you will get your money back. Of course, either one may take awhile.

[GoingQuiet]

Yes you ask him about status of your firearm. He better have insurance he is on the hook for it. He took on the responsibilty for your firearm he has custody.

Not really. Buyer beware. There's no obligation for the dealer to A: have insurance and B: be responsible for it.

[edgerly779]

^^ Nonsense. I took a pawn shop to small claims court and they paid. And my fees. Maybe in Florida mine was here in Van nuys , ca.

[TanGoBooty]

another reason why these idiotic 10 day waiting periods are just that... IDIOTIC

[Librarian]

another reason why these idiotic 10 day waiting periods are just that... IDIOTIC

They are, but this likely-sad example is not a good reason; the same might happen if the transaction would have completed overnight for some non-waiting-period reason.

For that matter, a buyer might take immediate delivery, go home, and be burned out the next day.

[operavoice]

Yeah, but then there would be no question of possession.
I bought it, took it home, it burned down in my house, my problem.

In the other scenario
I bought it, DROS'd it, wait 7 days, FFL burns down, that's not really HIS fault, nor MINE.
The state's law is what screwed me in that case.

It actually sounds like a really good example to me.

[M1NM]

One way or another you'll either get your gun or you will get your money back. Of course, either one may take awhile.

Unless he was uninsured or under insured or goes bankrupt. Grab this bull by the horns and be first in line to get paid by him or his insurance company. If he can pay for 10 and you're 11th in line you're screwed.

[IronsightsRifleman]

When trying times befall people, the worst they can do is be at odds with one another. There's nothing wrong with contacting the owner, offering your sincere condolences, and asking him how he thinks the two of you should proceed on your item.

[CalifEd]

Call your home owners insurance.
Not sure if they will pay you but it is a resource to begin the process of finding a responsible party.
Remember, insurance is great in taking your money and letting you believe you have coverage. When it comes time for them to pay they don't even want to know your name.

[GoingQuiet]

^^ Nonsense. I took a pawn shop to small claims court and they paid. And my fees. Maybe in Florida mine was here in Van nuys , ca.

That's because a pawn shop isn't a gun store.

Pawnbrokers have a surety bond. Gun dealers do not. The bonding and insurance is different.

Did you ever watch pawn stars? Rick Harrison does a fantastic job explaining htis.

[therealnickb]

Call your home owners insurance.
Not sure if they will pay you but it is a resource to begin the process of finding a responsible party.
Remember, insurance is great in taking your money and letting you believe you have coverage. When it comes time for them to pay they don't even want to know your name.

HO insurance covers your personal property (which includes firearms) anywhere in the world. There are of course limitations and deductibles. But fire is generally covered 100% less your deductible.

In the OP, the company may or may not subrogate depending on the value involved.

Your last paragraph is partly correct. Insurance is nothing more than a promise to pay. If your company sucks, so does their promise.

[gunlostinfire]

Thank you, everyone, for replying. A lot of useful information in the replies I received. I am going to reach out to him next week to see how we should proceed.

[acespawnshop]

That's because a pawn shop isn't a gun store.

Pawnbrokers have a surety bond. Gun dealers do not. The bonding and insurance is different.

Did you ever watch pawn stars? Rick Harrison does a fantastic job explaining htis.

I would imagine that the bond is for only pledged items, not unpledged items. Such as your transfer. Even our insurance breaks down the difference between pledged jewelry and firearms and unpledged jewelry and firearms. Hard items pledged and unpledged. I would imagine you would get nowhere fast in regards to a pawnbrokers surety bond. The bond is to protect the public from a fraudulent pawn shop. I would imagine they would instantly reject a claim against it saying this is an insurance issue.