Question - Lost/Found Handgun

[WoodlandCritter]

A free gun is a free gun...

 

[Nickofthewoods]

When I was a teenager on a camping trip with friends, I walked to the edge of some cliffs near our campsite and found a gun tucked inside a folder with what looked like a bunch of tax documents. After much discussion the group decided to call it in and a sheriff's deputy showed up and told us to "start looking around for a body." I was several beers in at that point so it was a huge buzz kill. In hindsight I never should have showed my friends and just kept the thing.

 

[doc holiday13]

Here’s the scenario.
(Some details are withheld for obvious reasons)

Someone I know found a handgun with some ammo recently. It was half buried along a trail.
They called me and asked what they should do with it.

I told them to contact the local sheriff and let them know…

After 2 days, and a phone call to dispatch each day, there has been no response.

What would you do?

My buddy lost a gun while bear hunting in N. ID about 2 years ago. I think it was a glock 10mm. I can PM you some contact info if this matches the find

 

[Nickofthewoods]

I found a Marlin 30-30 years ago. Didnt have to look for the body, it was right next to it.

Not something a dumb kid should ever find. Cant imagine wanting to hang onto the gun

Well that's terrible. I wouldn't keep that one either. Glad there was no body near the one I found.

 

[180ls1]

Screenshot the proof of calling, then email and possibly cc a superior or IA.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Have the local sheriff department run the cereal number and if it's clear keep it.

1-800-Wheaties????

 

[180ls1]

It may also take a lot of follow up. When Idaho sent my Dad two elk tags it took 7 points of contact to get them to refund/return.

 

[cnelk]

I spoke with the person who found the handgun this morning.

The serial # and gps coords were given when called in to dispatch.

Still nothing - even after the 2 phone calls to confirm they had everything they needed

 

[cnelk]

My buddy lost a gun while bear hunting in N. ID about 2 years ago. I think it was a glock 10mm. I can PM you some contact info if this matches the find

Nope. Isnt ID

 

[Jimmy]

I would feel nervous about keeping it. Unsure if used in a crime and me getting possibly caught with it down the road, looks sus. At least have him record his attempts where he notified police.

 

[GunsAreFun]

In your friend’s case, I’d drive to a station and inform someone in person that I had a found firearm in my car to report. If they still declined, I’d ask that they do so on video and state the serial number and model of the gun on camera and then I’d have a new-to-me gun.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I would turn it over to the State Police as opposed to a local Sheriff or Police Dept. If it was used in a crime, it might have been committed in the state, but not in the PD or S.O. jurisdiction, so ballistics tests might not provide the info needed. The State LEO (State Police) might have a larger data base to enter the results which might lead to more info. Unless it is reported stolen by serial #, it won't show up in NCIC and there is no way to know if it was used in a crime until ballistic comparison can be conducted.

 

[Laelkhunter]

..... It was half buried along a trail.

It was half buried as in it was buried in an attempt to dispose of it and it became partially uncovered for some reason, or could it have been dropped (lost) and another vehicle ran over it without knowing it was there, and that caused it to be partially buried? Probably no way of knowing for sure.

 

[MNGrouser]

I 100% drop that firearm off at the sheriff's office having jurisdiction where it was found. I'd leave my contact information and ask for the ICR or incident report number. Plus the name and contact info for the officer/deputy you are leaving the gun with. Call back every 6 months until you find out it has been returned to its rightful owner or you BECOME the rightful owner. As others have mentioned, it is a good idea to go in empty-handed first rather than running in brandishing the found firearm.

I prosecuted the burglary of a local gun store11 or 12 years ago. 17 handguns were taken and either sold for cheap or traded for drugs. We found the three guys but not the guns. We are still getting reports of those guns being recovered by law enforcement in Minneapolis, Chicago and New Orleans over a decade later. I'd hate to be an innocent finder of a gun that has a stolen serial number and try to explain that away years down the road without a solid paper trail.

 

[rob86jeep]

I spoke with the person who found the handgun this morning.

The serial # and gps coords were given when called in to dispatch.

Still nothing - even after the 2 phone calls to confirm they had everything they needed

I'm still confused on what his expectations are? He called and reported it, but you said he removed/moved the gun for safety reasons. What is he waiting on now? Did he give his address and the Sheriff said they will send a patrol? As I said before, after calling and letting them know, bring the firearm to them to get it cleared.

 

[cnelk]

Expectations?

Well, if someone calls TWICE to LE office and they said someone will be in contact, wouldn’t the expectation be SOMEONE would be in contact?

Like mentioned above - name, phone #, gps coords, serial number

What more would someone expect?
Maybe a reply?

 

[7mm-08]

My considerable experience with many local law enforcement entities in the intermountain west is that as much as we would hope (and, in fact, expect) competent employees and systems to be in place, sometimes that just ain't the reality. I would take the weapon to the SO and ensure that it was turned over to the authorities. Have your friend use his best judgment in the transfer, which is to say that it might not be in his best interest to walk in with the weapon in his hand for surrender. He could get a case of lead poisoning in that scenario.

 

[B Harrison]

They own a new gun


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[MarlinMark]

All this and we don't know what kind it is?