Those are indeed cliches, and quite unbelievable. On the other hand, all of my firearms were stolen by bears. So the ATF folks might as well just take me off their list.
Posted on 12/12/2022 4:04:25 PM PST by rellimpank
The list of reasons why someone might toss a gun in a river is pretty short. But the list of reasons why Bryce Nachtwey throws magnets tied to rope into America’s waters is even shorter: finding unclaimed property is really cool. If you don’t believe me, take a dive into magnet fishing YouTube and feel the hours disappear. Enthusiastic treasure hunters pace back and forth on bridges and cast shiny hockey puck-sized magnets into murky depths, pulling in bike parts, railroad spikes, jewelry, coins, and, yes, firearms. Nachtwey’s YouTube channel, Outdoors Weekly, features long, energetic videos of his exploits for his 626,000 subscribers.
It's a rare video when Nachtwey doesn’t pull a gun or two out of the water. He recently hauled six handguns out of a river in Louisiana, three of which were zipped in a bank deposit bag. But that doesn’t make Nachtwey uniquely good at this hobby. For magnet fishers across America—a fast-growing group—guns are among the most common type of catch. But even though they’re seemingly ubiquitous, they aren’t treated as such. In fact, the pistols, rifles, and shotguns are usually the headlining finds of magnet fishing content.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
I read decades ago that in New Orleans, the cops would take the seized guns and then drive across the Lake Pontchartrain bridge and toss them in a few at a time.
That was, till they found they could make BIG BUCKS on them at gun shows.
In Oklahoma, the seized guns are sold at auction. I went to such an auction years ago. All the seized items sold at low prices. Then like an Electric Charge the crowd became energized and surged toward one table! They were selling the guns!
Junk guns were going for NEW prices! I could not believe it!
IN our county the police cut up seized firearms with a blow torch. What a waste!
So if there was not an owner of the firearm and an FFL dealer to “bless” and record the transfer, it would be illegal to keep what was found. And if it happened to be any kind of semiautomatic rifle it could be doubly illegal as all semiautomatic rifles are assault weapons and you must have special training, to possess such a weapon.
Short answer, hell yes.
Another short answer, what guns?
Those are indeed cliches, and quite unbelievable. On the other hand, all of my firearms were stolen by bears. So the ATF folks might as well just take me off their list.
And those bears had freakin’ chainsaws for paws. I saw them.
Big ol’ chainsaws.
I asked a cop about this. He said the “proper procedure” is to take it to the closest police station. They would check if it is stolen or possibly had been used in a crime. If it comes back “clean” and you want it back you’d have to pass a background check.
I didn’t bother taking the one I found in. I just cleaned it up and kept it. But then I lost it later in a boating accident.
What kind of fish get caught with magnets?
Maybe Steelhead trout?
Well I for one would turn a gun in if I found it magnet fishing. Just like possession is 9/10’s of the law, a murder weapon in your possession? Well you get it. That said if you’re a conservative voter you’d wind up in jail.
Serial numbers will often hold up, but really rusted guns can erode then to illegible.
I believe you have a right to arm bears....
I’ve actually been looking at getting some fishing magnets. I’ve seen a few YouTube videos on the subject.
The problem most of these people are going to have is, once you pull that pistol from the water, it has to be placed in water. Those things will rust quick.
If you happen to snag one that was used in a crime you could have a serious problem.
I don’t want any jewelry or coins that can be collected with a magnet...
There’s a lot of people magnet fishing WWII relics in Europe.
ping
no kidding
don't ask don't tell
Yes. But if they are tied to murders I don’t think it would be a good idea.
It’s all fun and games until the magnet fisherman gets stuck with a rusty needle.
OK, that was the worst joke ever but made me smile.
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