Police Keep gun I reported stolen!

Free American · August 17th, 2005, 12:18 PM

Long story short, my girlfriend lost her mind and took off with one of my guns so I reported it stolen. She showed back up with it and threatened to shoot herself. Everything ends without incident, the police will keep my gun until after court. I live in VA and have contacted VCDL. What else can I do?

havegunjoe · August 17th, 2005, 12:22 PM

Doesn't sound like they plan to keep it beyound using it as evidence. Don't see that is much you can do unless you are saying they plan to keep it permanently. If that is there plan I would get a lawyer.

Tom357 · August 17th, 2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjm5874

Long story short, my girlfriend...took off with one of my guns so I reported it stolen. She showed back up with it and threatened to shoot herself. Everything ends without incident, the police will keep my gun until after court. I live in VA and have contacted VCDL. What else can I do?

How about waiting patiently and politely until your stolen property is returned after it is no longer needed as primary evidence? So far, nothing the police did seems out of line or inappropriate. Why are you upset?

P95Carry · August 17th, 2005, 02:13 PM

Inevitable - gun must be retained as evidence. Once court situation is over then it should be returned as a matter of course.

If not then you would have to make loud noises!

CombatEffective · August 17th, 2005, 08:07 PM

That's fairly normal procedure to keep the stolen property in evidence until after trial. Usually, we try to document the evidence through photos and such and return to the rightful owner ASAP, but I have a case where a stolen gun was recovered in another county. They won't give it to me to return to the owner until the trial is over. I called him to let him know it had been recovered and that I would get it back to him when I could. He was cool with that.

Bud White · August 17th, 2005, 08:17 PM

I dont see the problem here either sounds like normal stuff to me just have to wait if its your only gun then yeah be a little mad but go buy another

Bumper · August 17th, 2005, 11:32 PM

Ditto what others said. The police are not normally in the business of stealing another's legally owned property. You'll get it back when it's all over. No amount of yelling, begging or anything else will get it back any quicker....

Free American · August 18th, 2005, 05:59 PM

I guess I should have added the following information. I was a bit upset when I posted.
1. She was released without charges because I had recovered the gun.
2. The police threatened to arrest me for being armed in my home with my children.
3. My Sheriff and Police chief are almost as anti-gun as the ones in Northern VA.

So, being there is no court case, what evidence will it be used as?

P95Carry · August 18th, 2005, 06:05 PM

Quote:

2. The police threatened to arrest me for being armed in my home with my children.

WTH???!!!!! What ARE they talking about??? Holy moly.

So then if not needed as evidence - it sounds like you should claim (and get) it back pronto. Having local cops who are anti tho - shucks - wonder what ploy they'll try to frustrate your efforts to get back - YOUR property.

Could even be if they put up hurdles or brick walls, you'll have to get an attorney to help. This is amazing.

Brian45 · August 19th, 2005, 02:04 PM

WOW. I would document all phone calls, conservation, names, time and dates, etc. and call a lawyer for advice.

If that does not get you anywhere call the NRA. I have seen somewhere on the NRA website that they offer legal help and advice I cases like this.

Good Luck.

August 17th, 2005, 12:18 PM	#1
Free American Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 611	Police Keep gun I reported stolen! Long story short, my girlfriend lost her mind and took off with one of my guns so I reported it stolen. She showed back up with it and threatened to shoot herself. Everything ends without incident, the police will keep my gun until after court. I live in VA and have contacted VCDL. What else can I do? __________________ They who give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin Previously known as "cjm5874"

August 17th, 2005, 12:22 PM	#2
havegunjoe Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,790	Doesn't sound like they plan to keep it beyound using it as evidence. Don't see that is much you can do unless you are saying they plan to keep it permanently. If that is there plan I would get a lawyer. __________________ DEMOCRACY IS TWO WOLVES AND A LAMB VOTING ON WHAT TO HAVE FOR LUNCH. LIBERTY IS A WELL ARMED LAMB CONTESTING THE VOTE. Certified Instructor for Minnesota Carry Permit NRA Pistol and Personal Protection Insrtuctor Utah Permit Certified Instructor

August 17th, 2005, 02:13 PM	#4
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Inevitable - gun must be retained as evidence. Once court situation is over then it should be returned as a matter of course. If not then you would have to make loud noises! __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

August 17th, 2005, 08:07 PM	#5
CombatEffective Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,000	That's fairly normal procedure to keep the stolen property in evidence until after trial. Usually, we try to document the evidence through photos and such and return to the rightful owner ASAP, but I have a case where a stolen gun was recovered in another county. They won't give it to me to return to the owner until the trial is over. I called him to let him know it had been recovered and that I would get it back to him when I could. He was cool with that. __________________ Shooters' Legacy Special sections for S&W and Ruger

August 17th, 2005, 11:32 PM	#7
Bumper Administrator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 14,225	Ditto what others said. The police are not normally in the business of stealing another's legally owned property. You'll get it back when it's all over. No amount of yelling, begging or anything else will get it back any quicker.... __________________ Bumper Administrator DefensiveCarry.com Forum Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde; Beware the anger of a patient man.

August 17th, 2005, 08:17 PM	#6
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	I dont see the problem here either sounds like normal stuff to me just have to wait if its your only gun then yeah be a little mad but go buy another

August 18th, 2005, 05:59 PM	#8
Free American Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 611	I guess I should have added the following information. I was a bit upset when I posted. 1. She was released without charges because I had recovered the gun. 2. The police threatened to arrest me for being armed in my home with my children. 3. My Sheriff and Police chief are almost as anti-gun as the ones in Northern VA. So, being there is no court case, what evidence will it be used as? __________________ They who give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin Previously known as "cjm5874"

August 19th, 2005, 02:04 PM	#10
Brian45 Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 195	WOW. I would document all phone calls, conservation, names, time and dates, etc. and call a lawyer for advice. If that does not get you anywhere call the NRA. I have seen somewhere on the NRA website that they offer legal help and advice I cases like this. Good Luck. __________________ NRA Life Member "All That Later"

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