Never, ever, ever, ever, ever leave your gun in your 'locked' gym locker

[Getwild2]

Take the advice from me.

Please don't start a flame war, I know what I did was stupid and yet I did it anyway. Dumb, dumb, dumb, I know, complete and total idiocy. The purpose of this post is to serve as a 'reminder', not for a lashing. I think the fact that my gun is on the street in the hands of some jack-hole, the possibilities of what it might be used for and the fact that I'm out $1,000 is lashing enough. I can only pray the man is caught and harshly sentenced prior to any harm being done with my gun, the thought sickens and scares me.

Anyhow- let me explain the circumstances as I'm sure inquiring minds want to know.

I arrived at the gym locker room approx. 3:45pm today with my boss, we work out together daily at varying times of the day. There were two gentlemen in the locker room at the time of our arrival, neither anywhere near me or my locker. I changed, ensuring no one saw me disarm and I shut and LOCKED my locker. I proceeded to the gym floor with my boss and one of the gentlemen in the locker room, leaving one man in there alone.

About 5:00pm I returned to the locker room to find that my lock was missing, the next two locker's locks were missing as was my boss' lock. My wallet was still there, my iPhone, my keys, clothes, everything but my Smith & Wesson M&P 9c with Crimson Trace grips and Comp-Tac CTAC holster. My boss had nothing stolen and none of the other lockers appeared to be missing anything.

I immediately called the Police, in the meantime, since the fitness center reserves the right to inspect any locker, they chose to inspect the one young man's locker that left the locker room with us. No gun, he was very understanding. The entire time we racked our brains as to who the second man was, we looked at their check-in computer and the images of those who checked in during the past hour and a half. Nothing. We searched the locker room, nothing. No gun.

Then the young man that left the locker room appeared at the front desk and said he remembered more about the 'other' man in the locker room. He was wearing a U of Mich ballcap and a hoodie-sweatshirt. He was pacing around the locker room while talking on his phone, seemingly wrapping up his call prior to working out. He mentioned something about the gym but used a name slightly different than the name of the place we were. Strange.

In the end we believe this man was the thief, we cannot prove it, the gym had no record of him signing in nor does it have cameras...YET. The owner of the gym expressed extreme concern and mentioned about installing cameras asap. Great, but that doesn't help me.

So we filled out the police report, I provided the necessary information, the LEO and I spoke to all of the employees and came up with nothing. He was very thorough and kind. The report has been filed, 'the system' has been updated as to the stolen status and I left with nothing but regret. The manager did say to give her a copy of the police report so she can turn it into her insurance company, I can only hope they will replace my stolen property valued at approx. $1,000 new.

Anyway, there you have it. I'm coming clean about the stupidest thing I've ever done. I've read time and time again about this occurring and yet, tonight I did it and paid dearly. My fault completely, no one to blame but me, one can only learn from it and move on.

Thanks for reading, please never forget this incident as a reminder.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[TerriLi]

based on the information I would look at the employees and gym members who share the same times with you.

[Backnblack]

Tough lesson...

[ConcealedXDm]

It's interesting you automatically think the theif is going to use your gun to cause harm. I would be checking local pawn shops. Even bad guys know the current firearms environment and know they are quick and easy money.

[DM2]

Hey, I'm sorry for your loss and that this happened to you. It seems you are beating yourself up pretty badly about this. We all make mistakes in one form or another and some worse than others. Learn from it and move on. Don't let it get you down.

Now, I just wanted to make a suggestion. You stated that the gym was going to submit a claim to their insurance company. My question is do you have homeowners insurance. Maybe you can file a claim with them and get the value of the firearm less the deductible if the gym's insurance doesn't help out. Just a thought.

Again, don't beat yourself up to badly. I'm sure some here will probably be their usual outspoken selves, but the best you can do is learn from your mistake and move on.

Good Luck.

[jwhite75]

Make a LIST of everyone who knows or possibly knows youbring your gun to the gym. Could be someone who saw you days before. Could very well be an employee. That sucks. Not like it was a throw away gun. It was a good piece of hardware, and potentially something to be used in a crime.

[Getwild2]

Hey, I'm sorry for your loss and that this happened to you. It seems you are beating yourself up pretty badly about this. We all make mistakes in one form or another and some worse than others. Learn from it and move on. Don't let it get you down.

Now, I just wanted to make a suggestion. You stated that the gym was going to submit a claim to their insurance company. My question is do you have homeowners insurance. Maybe you can file a claim with them and get the value of the firearm less the deductible if the gym's insurance doesn't help out. Just a thought.

Again, don't beat yourself up to badly. I'm sure some here will probably be their usual outspoken selves, but the best you can do is learn from your mistake and move on.

Good Luck.

Oh wow, good idea! I didn't think of that. Well I don't have homeowners insurance but I have a hefty renters insurance policy through State Farm. I'll definitely follow up with them if the gym insurance doesn't pan out.

To the other poster, I agree, strange how I automatically think it'll be used to cause harm. I guess its a worry in the back of my mind. Hopefully I'm wrong and you're right. On a side note, I wonder what the policy is for selling guns to Pawn Shops? Do they run the serial or ask for a registration card from the seller?

Thanks for the kind words guys.

[BlueNinjaGo]

Wow, that sucks... Good luck in catching the thief! Check local pawn shops like someone said... I assume you know the serial number, right?

[Patti]

That totally sucks.

[Getwild2]

Wow, that sucks... Good luck in catching the thief! Check local pawn shops like someone said... I assume you know the serial number, right?

Thanks and yes sir, I do have the serial on my registration card...er..I mean my "safety inspection" card.

Someone also suggested to me that since I'm an NRA member, they would possibly cover theft. Granted I'd use them as a last resort as I feel they need the money.

[skot]

Bad news all around. I feel bad for you that you lost your gun. I feel bad for everyone that it will now probably be used in a crime and as an example of why CCW's cause more harm than good. I wouldn't be surprised if you see a gun buster sign at your gym in the near future.

[nutz4utwo]

Yup- if you are an NRA member, there is a $1000 firearms insurance in case of theft, loss, or damage:

Benefits of Membership

#

$1,000 of ArmsCare coverage with your NRA membership. This plan covers insured firearms, air guns, bows and arrows against theft, accidental loss, and damage. For special provisions and limitations of the ArmsCare Plan click here. ArmsCare

For purposes of insurance, NRA members must be current active members of the NRA whose name appears on the NRA membership list.

You may have had to fill out some paperwork when you signed up???? (it is not the NRA's money. they have a 3rd party insurance agency)

[swatspyder]

Probably what was used... Very easy to open locks with. And all you need is a beer can.

[boricua]

Hope it doesn't end up in the wrong hands. Live and learn.

[msgt/ret]

Are you an NRA member, if so your membership provides insurance against loss or theft of firearms.

nutz4utwo you beat me to it, I don’t know about Michigan but here in NC the sheriff’s office gets a copy of the pawn ticket so if the thief does pawn you will be able to get it back.