If you were to find a firearm are you under any legal obligation inform the police ?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - If you were to find a firearm are you under any legal obligation inform the police ?

Posted: 4/11/2006 11:33:44 AM EDT

I cannot think of any specific law stating that you are legally obligated to inform the police. Is there a way to have the serial # checked for stolen, or whether used in a crime?

Posted: 4/11/2006 11:48:57 AM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
I cannot think of any specific law stating that you are legally obligated to inform the police. Is there a way to have the serial # checked for stolen, or whether used in a crime?

There is no law but it's probably prudent to do so if you get caught with it by the police and it's stolen or a murder weapon you'll be up shit creek. Call anonymously to police, run serial number, if stolen then return it or turn it in at one of those gun buy back programs and get a free pair of sneakers.

Posted: 4/11/2006 12:15:01 PM EDT

[#2]

We don't run anonymous serial numbers. Why let the guy who stole it know if the owner had the serial number recorded anywhere?

Report it, if only because it's the moral thing to do.

Posted: 4/11/2006 12:17:13 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I cannot think of any specific law stating that you are legally obligated to inform the police. Is there a way to have the serial # checked for stolen, or whether used in a crime?

There is no law but it's probably prudent to do so if you get caught with it by the police and it's stolen or a murder weapon you'll be up shit creek. Call anonymously to police, run serial number, if stolen then return it or turn it in at one of those gun buy back programs and get a free pair of sneakers.

That's lame. Did you find one, or is this a hypothetical thing?

I'd call it in, ask them to run the serial number, just to be honest... but I'm lame like that.

Posted: 4/12/2006 12:12:18 AM EDT

[#4]

What happens if it is not reported stolen? Do you get to keep it?

Posted: 4/12/2006 9:53:28 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
What happens if it is not reported stolen? Do you get to keep it?

Finders keepers

Posted: 4/12/2006 9:59:08 AM EDT

[#6]

some locations have laws that require found property with a value in excess of a specified amount to be turned into the police. the finder can claim it after a specified amount of time.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - If you were to find a firearm are you under any legal obligation inform the police ?

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