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When I worked for the US Forest Service I found a rifle leaned up against a tree that was heavily rusted/pitted. I couldn't get the bolt open. Someone likely hunting leaned it against a tree and walked off and forgot where they left it. It's still there I guess.

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Stfu

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I hardly ever report any machine guns that I find.

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Llewelyn Moss found some guns.

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So what is the rule/law regarding this?

I mean let’s say you’re hiking in the woods and walking through some thickets, and come across a half buried old hunting rifle under some thickets, or something.

Do you get to keep it? Do you turn it over to police?

I imagine that there is always the potential that it was used in a crime, so contacting the police might not be a bad idea. But if it wasn’t, they will probably still confiscate or destroy it, just as a matter of policy.

Another route to go would be to try to trace the serial number and contact the owner, in case it’s a lost firearm.

But say that turns into a dead end. Original owner died years ago, no NOK. Do you get to keep it?

I just read an article today about a Florida man who pulled two sniper rifles out of the river while “magnet fishing” with his grandson. Apparently that’s a thing. The guy was former military and knew what they were. He took them home, cleaned them up, discovered that the serial numbers were ground off. So ofcourse then he contacted the police because ground off serial numbers are a very bad sign.

I once had an old neighbor who discovered a WW2 Arisaka rifle in an attic when he moved into a new house. He was into shooting and military rifles, so he knew what it was. He kept it. (ETA: He has since passed away).

Obviously if you find a glock or hi-point pistol on a street corner in the hood, or some place like that. It’s proabably stolen, or was used in a crime. Probably want to inform the police. But there are situations outside of that one, kind of like the ones I described.

What are the formal legal responsibilities one has, if having found something?

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That old thing? Been in the family since I can remember.

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I assume it varies wildly by state.

I imagine once it's in the hands of the police, your chances of "finders keepers" are gone, even if it wasn't stolen or used in a crime. Even if it would be legal for them to release it to you after it's been cleared, I'm sure they could tie it up in rep tape for as long as it takes for you to give up on it.

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Friend and I were duck hunting out of my boat and used a small dirt road to launch from. We hunted and loaded up the boat and came home about an hour away. Soon as I took my gun out of the truck he said "I left my gun laying on the ground when we loaded up". Drove back and hour and it was still there. Really surprised someone didn't notice as there were other hunters. But he laid it down near the trees.

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Sure be a lot of "thickets" up in this mother fucker!

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/49274/Thickets-2264615.jpg