Confiscated weapons?

[dadwoodsr]

While asking about a possible new concealed weapon purchase in a group of shooters the other day, one said, "Whatever you do, don't spend a lot of money because if Leo takes it, it is likely you won't see it again or may not see it again for a year or more. If it is a Kimber or other expensive gun, someone may take a liking to it and bye-bye."

Is this something that happens regularly or at all. Is this a rule for firearm purchasing? Has this happened to any of you?

[hiwall]

A good friend of mine had his lake home broken in-to. A lot of expensive stuff was stolen. About two weeks or so later the sheriffs office called to say they caught the guy and had recovered mine friend's stuff. About a week later when he went to the sheriff's office all the stuff was gone except for a clock radio. He did not say anything about it has the insurance was ready to pay anyway. Not exactly what you asked but close. In some areas all guns used in crimes are destroyed. Even if used legally(I don't know).

[dadwoodsr]

It gives one pause, doesn't it? thank you

[PCADaveinPhila]

Well I had an incident here in Philadelphia where Leo tried to charge me with impersination because my uniform looked very similar to the SEPTA (public transportation) PD uniform. They couldn't make the charge stick so they went "fishing" and charged me with Carrying without a valid Licence even though I was on my way home from work and was covered under the laws pertaining to Armed Security (Act 235). They threatened to confiscate my uniform and send me home in a "Gown" but since they only charged me with the latter they confiscated my weapon claiming that it needed to be tested to see if it was used in "any other crimes" when all they had to do was make a call and they would've found out that my weapon had a very short chain of possesion The Manufacturer to the store then me. When they took it they said that after one week I couls calll the Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) and see if I could get it back then IF they would allow me to have my legally purchased property back I would have to write a letter to the city police commisioner to get his permission to claim my property. It was part of some other things that happened at that time that cost me a job. Since it happened around tax time I never tried to get the weapon back or fight the charge I just bought a new and better version of what the City had taken from me.

[-06]

Have a 1911 Colt slide on a aftermarket frame. LEO ran the numbers and it showed up stolen in Texas. Took me six weeks to get it back even with permits/receipts in hand. A bud had been to a gun show and had 30+ rifles. Got searched and he never got half of them back. I have lost a Colt 380 and a Colt 25 to "smokey" over the years.

[Dale64]

I had an incident at my home 20 years ago that the police were called out to my home by mistake.
I was asked to step outside and they immeditely cuffed me "for my safety".
They then entered my home (without warrant) and confiscated 2 of my rifles that were in plain view hanging in a gun rack in my bedroom. They didn't even bother to search under the bed where I kept a self defense shotgun and mini-14.
As it turns out it was a domestic violence call sent to the wrong address. But my wife and I were forced to show up in court anyway and we each pleaded the 5th.
Charges were dropped but had to appear in court on a separate date with regards to the guns. Never could figure that one out.
Anyway... just to make sure nothing happened to my rifles, I visited the local police station EVERY DAY for over a month and inisted that I was allowed to inspect my property for mis-handling or damage while they were in evidence lockup.
Really pissed off the police chief and the evidence room watchman, but what the heck, it's MY property.
I wanted to make sure that no yahoos were taking my rifles to the range to play with. Every day I was allowed to inspect them for damage and cleanliness. I knew my weapons well and could tell no one had been touching them but me. They just sat on that shelf until a judge gave the order to release them to me. I had to go to court 3 times before the judge could make a decision, it was new ground, no one had ever asked for their weapons to be returned to them in that county and he had no idea how to make a ruling for over a month.

[Ed Hamberger]

Have a 1911 Colt slide on a aftermarket frame. LEO ran the numbers and it showed up stolen in Texas. Took me six weeks to get it back even with permits/receipts in hand. A bud had been to a gun show and had 30+ rifles. Got searched and he never got half of them back. I have lost a Colt 380 and a Colt 25 to "smokey" over the years.

That is why I don't visit any Gun Shows anymore, you have no way of knowing if what your buying is "hot" or not.

[father-of-three]

Interesting points about confiscation and used items.
As much as I like chatting about guns and second amendment rights, sometimes it's just better for me to keep quiet and keep the (legal) goods hidden! Gun owners are so easy to get taken out of context, by law enforcement of all people!
I work in the mental health field in New Jersey, which is basically the "Kiss of Death" for all things gun related. Anti-gun municipalities, like the City of Brotherly Love mentioned above, will make it difficult, if not impossible to get your gun back, following "investigations."

It's a must to have a reliable weapon, but one that can be replaced. But hey, if you are in mortal danger and all you have is a 1911 from 1918 (saw one yesterday for 2 thousand!), one must do what one must do...

[OldOwl]

Tell them to screw.

If the police knock on your door, are you required to open it and talk to them? | Answerbag

[father-of-three]

It may vary by state, but a warrant is needed for a car search as well, unless you consent without one.