Posted on 07/19/2014 3:57:42 PM PDT by Red in Blue PA
Several years ago, we had a burglary and guns were stolen from our house. About a year ago, one of them turned up on a thug, who was reaching for it in his waistband and subsequently was tasered by the police before he was able to use it one them. In the end, the gun helped to put him away, but even with priors (including a shooting about 10 years back) he only received a sentence of 3 ½ to 7 years from our pathetic “justice” system.
Fast forward to the present. I was informed that I could get my gun (property) back one month after he was sentenced just in case he appealed the case. A month went by from the time he was sentenced, and I tried to get the gun. No help from the DA’s office or the police. In fact, I was informed by the police that before I would get my gun back, they were going to do a background check on ME! On the owner of the gun!!!!! WTF kind of system is this?
So I have been waiting now for approximately two months over the time when I was told I could get the gun back. He was sentenced in April, so I was told I could get the gun back June 1st. Apparently the officer who was involved in the case has to sign something to release the gun (not even sure why that should be required), but now that officer and the police are being sued by this thug and so the gun is not being released by their attorney (the attorney for the city)! It is my understanding that only the criminal case is what matters; whether the officer or the police are being sued in a civil case should have no bearing on the release of my gun.
Who should I contact to expedite this? I have sent too many emails and phone calls as it is. I am fed up. It is my property and they should not be able to keep it past the time they are supposed to. My local legislator is worthless as he is antigun and only got into office because he was unopposed.
If anyone has a contact number of someone at the NRA who could help, please Freepmail me, or if there are any attorneys with any ideas please let me know.
In my opinion, if you do not get your property back within one week of the time you should, there should be monetary penalties to those throwing up roadblocks. Luckily for me, it is not my only gun. Bu if that was all I could afford, these people would be leaving my family at the mercy of the vermin walking the streets. I cannot describe how I feel about the people involved in this process.
This is simply a criminal system.
You are surprised government is not efficient?
Some cops are fine people but the profession does seem to attract more than their share of control freaks. They have the power and don’t want to let any of the peons encroach on it.
No, but I am surprised when people at this site make excuses for them.
I woman here had the same problem. Cops had her gun, kept putting her off, wouldn’t give it back, wouldn’t talk to her on the phone. She got it back when she got one of those investigative reporters involved.
All you asked for was advice on solving a problem.
Of what use is a locked up gun?
It will only get you killed.
Someone who gets it. Finally!
We live in Oregon. A Gun was stolen from our Chevy Blazer a few years back. We gave them all the info they needed about the gun serial # and all. We didn't know it had been found and the thief was sent to prison. 3 years later we received a call from the police. They gave us gun, ammo and the holster. Hope your situation turns out as well.
Thanks. I think it will. The officer said he wanted to get my gun back to me, but now with the civil lawsuit, the city’s attorney (located in Philly) must sign off on it and God knows how long that will take.
IMO, there should be a mandatory time period to get possession back to their owners. I fell like I have been victimized twice.
The time to get it back is highly uncertain. I would guess that some cops want you to get it back and others don’t. It may help to go to the top (politely) and see if the Chief/Sheriff can make it happen, or to go to the bottom of the chain of command several times to see if you can find someone helpful. These things take time, often months or a year or two longer than expected. Good luck!
If it is city PD contact your city council person. County your county rep.
It’s likely in some {badges} private collection.
I got my Brother’s revolver less than a year after he used it to end his life. When the incident occurred, I received a card from the top guy in the Denver PD investigation team saying to call him if there’s any issues. They ended up calling me early and I picked it up that week.
Granted, that wasn’t a crime. However, theft is.
Go to the station and get written statements from everyone you can giving a reason why they have your property.
Then go in again the next week.
Then the following week.
Ride their butts.
This is theft.
Best of luck, FRiend.
I understand where you are coming from but I work full-time (long hours) and then am going for my MBA at nights. I would love to be a PITA to these people, but realistically, that is not an option right now.
And sorry to hear about your brother. I typed that post fast and left that out by mistake.
You do not want that gun back. The serial number of that gun will forever be in numerous databases, and will never be “cleared”.
So what?
The cops are often reluctant to return guns if they happen to be against guns in the hands of citizens. I would go to your town committee man or mayor and ask them to press the police chief on your behalf.
I was thinking the same thing. Now I suppose we'll both get yelled at.
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