Confiscation after a shooting?

[Trailryder50]

It has made me re-think what I am willing to give up in the event of a shooting. I was the good guy in this case and am without my rifle for who knows how long. Makes one think about getting involved in any situation knowing how the process works.

I'm with you there. At least, in the sense that it will probably be the first thing that runs thru my mind in the event I find myself in such a situation.

And if anyone gives my any guff over it after the fact for not coming to someones aid. I'll just say it's the DA, State Attorney and the laws own fault because of how they would rake me over the coals if I got involved.

 

[okiegtrider]

After I posted this morning, I remembered I had on my desk a request for the return of three firearms. I got busy on sorting that one.

 

[jimmyj]

Firearms that are taken for evidence are not always treated with care.
In the past every officer that examined the weapon would scratch their ID # on the weapon. I have seen weapons that every place on the weapon had a number scratched on it. I finally was able to convince my agency that only the serial number was necessary for ID purposes/

 

[Racer X]

I now personally own several pistols purchased from a friend who is a FFL here in Washington State.

These were confiscated and eventually disposed of by several Eastern Washington law enforcement depts. They are allowed to TRADE for dept supplies/equipment.

I DO know that my friend ended up with the Ruger 10/22 that was confiscated from Frontier Middle School shooting - Wikipedia but not used in the actual shootings. Don't recall the full details. Pretty sure word got out that it was his rifle, and he couldn't sell it.

I did get a Ruger Mark III target pistol, and a pristine H&K USP 9 from him that were dept confiscated trade ins.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Forty years ago a Criminology professor taught a class that most criminals (he specifically exempted serial killers and white collar criminals) are people who are too dim witted to find better (legal) employment. I would add the extremely selfish.

If an armed moron, psychopath or a sociopath breaks into your home. JMO the threat to your person or other innocents in the home demand some action. I would never tell someone to not engage and retreat, you win every fight you don't participate in. But you should not be legally required to retreat, and you should not face sanction if you defend yourself, others or even your property. Victims don't choose the time, place and manner of the attack.

I have worked cases where the victim cooperated with the criminal perpetrator and was then murdered.

 

[Xfuzz]

30 years Big City copper 26 as an Investigative Sergeant.
My short answer to the question.
Your odds are 50/50 you will see your gun again..and
that is based on a clean shoot.

IMHO....keep your EDC/House gun simple.
Old adage:
Show family and friends your nice S&W"s and Colt
collection....
Show the bad guy your Glock.

I will add, that regardless of what you choose to carry or the replacement cost.
If it saved your bacon or somebody else it is dough well spent.

 

[Ranger17]

I have zero experience in all of this (grateful for that); but can say when i took my carry class a couple years ago one of the things the instructor spent a few minutes on was what could happen to one's gun after a shooting.
He was of the opinion that he would not carry something of true value or rarity "just in case" something happened to it or he never got it back.

That made perfect sense; at least while carrying I'd rather risk a std handgun vs some high value piece. And after reading thru this thread, i think that makes the case even stronger.

my .02 of course.

 

[Squarebutt]

Here in MA, after a shooting you might find a couple of officers at your door to confiscate ALL your firearms, ammo, scopes and anything else they can think of, along with your license to carry, regardless of the details of the incident. In many jurisdictions the guns are turned over to a "bonded warehouse" where the storage charges soon exceed the value of the guns. If you are able to arrange it quickly, it's possible to designate a local FFL to hold your gear pending disposition of the case.

 

[Doug M.]

The case described by the Michel firm should have resulted in criminal charges against the Gun unit and DA's office personnel involved and the disbarment of any of the ADAs involved. Around here, they would do prison time.

 

[Muss Muggins]

The investigation of an officer involved shooting in Jefferson County, south of St. Louis, was just concluded. The details of the why are for the most part unimportant here, except to say that the shooting was ruled justified, however a couple things are important to this discussion.

The incident began in St. Louis County, north of Jefferson County, resulted in a pursuit, and ended at the side of the road in Jefferson County. It occurred on July 24. Eight St. Louis County Police Officers fired their weapons. The report mentions that the rifles used by the officers, which have been held by Jefferson County since the incident, will be returned next month . . .