found a gun

[jahwarrior72]

i need some advice; not so much legal, just friendly advice. my nephew found a gun in a local movie theater. it's beretta 92 fs, in nice condition. it was loaded, with half a mag left in it. it was stuffed into a seat, so it was either lost by some unlucky guy, or someone was trying to dump it. i'm undecided whether i should hand it in to the police, or keep it in the house as part of my SHTF kit. i know that option one is the correct thing to do. option two crossed my mind, because i'm worried about legislation being introduced in my state, which could restrict the quantity of guns i could buy in a certain amount of time (i think it's a "one gun a month" deal). i'm open to any and all advice, and grateful for it.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[retsupt99]

"Luuuuucy...you got some 'splainin' to do...."

The only thing to do, is to turn it over to the police. Perhaps if it is not linked to a crime, and the owner cannot be found...you might get it back!

I would not keep a 'found' gun...too many variables...

ret

[cagueits]

Make contact with LE about the weapon, before they make contact with you - if it is a weapon that was used in a crime, you don't want to be associated / get caught with it on your possesion.

[ELCruisr]

Yup, on every level from moral to legal. Get LE involved and give it to them.

[MattInFla]

Absolutely. If that firearm has been reported stolen (entirely likely if some criminal had it and dumped it), having it in your possession is bad juju.

You don't even want to think about what happens if that gun is a ballistic match to a slug recovered from a victim....

Matt

[Freedz]

Yea, im definately with everyone else on this one - turn it in.

[albundy]

turn it in. that is what broke the manson family case in the sixties.

[kentuckycarry]

turn It In !!!!!!!

[P95Carry]

At risk of being boringly repetitive to what has already been posted.

Hand the sucker in!!!! Let's assume it is ''hot'' and so play safe.

(Unloaded and with the ammo it had kept loose in a baggy, and try not to cover it in only your prints!)

[SIGguy229]

do not unload...leave for PD to do so....call them and turn it in....

[srfl]

Turn it in...for all you know it was used in a crime.

[Cupcake]

I've been looking all over for that thing, thanks for finding it

[Blackeagle]

it's beretta 92 fs, in nice condition. it was loaded, with half a mag left in it. it was stuffed into a seat, so it was either lost by some unlucky guy, or someone was trying to dump it.

I agree with everyone else here that you need to turn this in to the police. In particular, the 'half-mag' thing makes me really suspicious. I could see some hapless CCWer accidentally leaving their weapon in the theater (after all, not to long ago I had a very anxious day when I thought I'd done something like that myself). However, I'd expect someone's carry gun to be fully loaded. A half empty mag really makes me wonder where the other half-magazine worth of bullets might be.

[Tom G]

I hope this makes you feel better. I found a brand new browning shot gun in a feild next to my work site. I figured it was stolen or used in a crime so I turned it in. Its better to turn it in then try to explain how it got into your possession if it's found to be stolen. I'm sure the rightful owner will be glad to get it back.

[ccw9mm]

Simple answer: it's someone's gun ... and your nephew knows it's not his. So, turn it in to the police or sheriff dept.

Pointed answer: if it turns out this gun has been responsible for crimes, if/when that gets found out some years hence, you won't have a leg to stand on. So, turn it in to the police or sheriff dept.