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.
You see I support the result you want, but when you rule out an attorney and even rule out being a PITA as your own advocate, who realistically do you expect to do this for you? You would like someone at the NRA etc to do it and I hope they do. But this problem of cops seizing guns and not returning them is widespread add you see from the comments here. In Philadelphia they seize lawful guns from anyone they stop, knowing it is too expensive to fight to get them back. So you either have to be your own advocate sometimes or good luck.
Then you can afford to buy a new gun, that is not tainted.
For your own good, you shouldn’t obsess over this one.
This gun was used in commission of a crime and for the cost, that you yourself pointed out, it’s not worth the effort, not to mention any other trouble you may end up having.
Most people here are giving you good advice.
Let it go, buy another gun and move on, focus on your job and MBA courses.
This is not a question about your being right, which you are, this is about practicality and accepting reality that you can’t always get your way.
“God give me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, and the WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.”