the PO-lice regard this as a murder, and shooting civilians is their turf.
Uppity civilians must be punished...
The police are neither regarding nor investigating this as a "murder."
"Police are investigating the fatal incident as a homicide.
You forgot the sarcasm tag. But in an effort to explain to others more clearly the reason for the seizure I offer the following.
The weapon was taken as part of the investigation as evidence in the commission of a homicide, in this particular case. Also to confirm whether it was lawfully owned by the party using it (i.e.- stolen or not) and if the mechanics of the weapon had been altered from factory specs. In the event of a court hearing it would be entered as an item of evidence. The ammunition remaining and magazine of a semi-auto as well as the expended cartridge case would also be included in that seizure. Ammunition might be examined to determine if it had been reloaded and whether the factory ballistic capabilities had been changed by the reloader. The seizure of evidence from a crime scene is S.O.P. Hopefully you will never be involved in a self-defense use of a firearm but knowing what will occur in the aftermath may justify your second purchase to avoid being defenseless until the weapon is returned after litigation, if any is forthcoming, has been completed.