Use it and lose it

As other are saying, regardless of the circumstances, your firearm will be seized as evidence until the investigation is complete, and may be held as evidence even further if lawsuits are filed against you afterwards, so you could be without your firearm for some time.
In addition, under certain circumstances your firearm may be stamped/etched with a case number, and the firearm will no be looked after for the duration of it's stay in evidence lockup, meaning it may very likely come back to you with a bit of rust, especially if it got blood on it during the shooting.

This is the reason why I choose to carry firearms which are inexpensive, easily replaced, with as little sentimental value attached to them as possible, and with a corrosion-resistant material/finish such as Stainless Steel/FNC. Elitist Snobs will look down upon those who carry a Hi-Point, Sigma, or other such inexpensive "tupperware guns" while boasting about how they carry a Kimber Eclipse Custom II, SIG P22X Equinox, or other such fancy firearms, but unless they've got money to burn and zero emotional attachment to their carry gun, they'll be singing a different tune when it gets held as evidence for years then comes back to them all rusted with a case number crudely etched into it.
 
Agree with most above, you will lose it to evidence for at least the time of investigation. So one is none, you need at least two SD guns. Its also the reason I choose to generally carry a glock. Easy to replace & no emotinal ties like carrying my dads gun or such.
 
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I read somewhere that concealed carry weapons taken by law enforcement as evidence will be subjected to a "CSI" procedure of being exposed to heated cyanoacrylate fumes to reveal fingerprints. When the weapon is returned it will be exactly as it was upon completion of the investigation.

I would rather clean the weapon than place trust in a cheap piece of junk.
 
A little O/T, but still own what was once my issued duty S&W M66 4" used in my first OIS way back in 1982.
It was in evidence for almost a year pending investigations by our IAU, our state agency (NC SBI) as well as FBI.

When I finally got it the primary IA Investigator's initials, date and the case number were electro-penciled on the grip frame.
I was a little peeved, but now look on it in a different light.

That revolver saved my bacon, and my belief is I was placed there for a reason.
 
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Oracle said:
I read somewhere that concealed carry weapons taken by law enforcement as evidence will be subjected to a "CSI" procedure of being exposed to heated cyanoacrylate fumes to reveal fingerprints. When the weapon is returned it will be exactly as it was upon completion of the investigation.

I would rather clean the weapon than place trust in a cheap piece of junk.
Click to expand...

Are you saying a glock or m&p is "cheap piece of junk"?
 
I got lucky with mine.

The NC State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent took it from me and gave me a receipt for it. He kept it in his custody and took it to the lab and stayed with it while it was test fired. About two weeks later he returned it to me without any marks. He said he did not have to mark it as it stayed in his custody and control the entire time. Back then SBI Agents were allowed to keep evidence in their offices and did not have to turn it in to a central evidence storage.

When it was returned I was asked if I wanted to keep it or get a new gun. I told the Deputy Director that I knew that one worked and I would keep it.
 
pharmer said:
I'd imagine if no charges whatsoever are filed against the shooter they would not seize the weapon. Charges filed against the shooter, even "procedural" and they would. Joe
Click to expand...

Whether charges are filed at the time of the incident or after a discussion with the local prosecutor or after presenting the incident to a grand jury - your firearm will always be taken as evidence for any potential forthcoming charges. Not to seize the firearm would be nonfeasance / dereliction of duty. The police do not have the authority to make a (no charge) decision on a felony. If the prosecutor deems the act was in accordance with law, your firearm may / will be returned. If a civil case is filed prior to the weapon's return, the weapon may / will be held by authorities.
 
If you have to use your Weapon, Quoting Ayoob
"In the Gravest Extreme" The value of the Weapon employed would be the Least of your Worries. My Life is worth much more than my Kimber K6S EDC.
 
Fortunately, I have never been involved in a self defense shooting, and hopefully, I never will be. That being said, I have come to the realization that if I am unfortunate enough to be involved in a SD/HD shooting, two things most likely will occur:
1) being disabled and unable to move fast, I will probably draw fire, and
2) I will most likely lose that firearm for some period of time.

As long as I am not on a slab in a morgue, I will be accepting of the reality that I may not see my handgun for a while (or ever again).
 
Not even on my radar.

If push comes to shove. I want to have whatever gets me home in one piece. Be it a ten thousand dollar Wilson master grade or a cheap S&W M&P. If the LEOs cleaning up afterwards want to hang on to it then so be it. If I go home without bleeding too much and all of my loved ones do the same. I am not going to sweat it. Just sayin!
 
I see mention of "family heirloom", "sentimental value" and "emotional ties". I am glad I see it as a firearm, a tool to be used like the hammers I had when a carpenter. If it gets taken, and I am alive and free, it can be replaced.

Kevin
 
Depending on your location if the shoot ain't really really good there is a good chance they could come empty your entire safe till its all over anyway. Might as well have a good gun in your hand to start with.

Not carrying a decent gun you like because something might happen is like not driving your car because you might have a wreck. Your far and away more apt to be in a car wreck than any kind of gun fight. Your car might be in the body shop for a while and you might have to drive a clunk.. Life goes on
 
just taking a guess here but I would say 90% of the time your gun is going with them along with you.
I helped a woman who shot at an intruder in her house, (she missed multiple times) gun was taken as evidence. we at that time had a 3 day waiting period to buy a new gun. the gun she used was her only meaning now she was unarmed. She was worried about the intruder coming back because he was afraid she might be able to ID him. Offered here one of mine until her 3 day cooling off period had ended so she could pick her new gun up. she declined and stayed with a friend until she could get her new gun. Funny thing, offered her some free instruction and she turned that down too.
Another case involved a guy who took out 2 guys with shotguns in an Aldie store, he was cleared and the shoot was justified they took his gun and had to pay an attorney lots of money to get his $500.00 gun back.
So I say yes you will more than likely loose it, but ask yourself whats your life worth if it only worth $500.00 don't carry a $600.00 gun.
 
Our policy was (I retired in '97) was to hold the weapon until released by the prosecutors' office. Sometimes the owner had to notify us b/c it got forgotten in the press of other cases we were working.
 
Keep one thing in mind. When the police get there, they see the guy who was shot, and you, the shooter. That's where they start. You'll be taken into custody and your weapon will be confiscated. What happens after that depends on the local authorities and the skill of your attorney.
 
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