About 5 years ago a so called friend stole my S&W model 19. I called the police gave them his name and the serial number of the 19 the thief was in the service. now he is retired and here working in our local gun store, and gets free shot shells to shoot trap and is an officer in our gun club. who says being a thief doesn't pay.
My model 19 was stolen
- Thread starter chuck
- Start date
Not sure i would feel comfortable in that gun club, but on the other hand, a lot of time has passed, to forgive is divine, and he may be a champ of a guy now. He may never bring the subject up, as he may no longer have the gun, and is too embarrassed to talk about it. Honestly, i think i would forgive and forget, and let it go. Good luck!
bogus bill
Hunter
I am a christian but I aint that forgiving..... unless he sought me out first and wanted to make things right. Actually he already would be in big trouble. I am guessing maybe there must be extenuating circumstances??
RSIno1
Hunter
Police report. Call them and let em know you found the thief.
bogus bill
Hunter
While you would cause discord for him by going to the police at this point he would likely lie his way out unless he had it on him. Of course he could crack but I doubt it. A direct confrontation is your best chance of getting the gun or else the money for it back. If he bulks, then you could tell him you are going to the police. He is pretty brazen to come back and operate under your nose. Good luck. You could make trouble for him on his job but unless you have proof he could sue you. The fellow is very brazen, street wise and a bully or a damn fool.
powder smoke
Hawkeye
Confront the SOB around his friends family or in public where he works at the gun store.
I would definitely clue his boss in at the gun shop. I know I would like to know if a thief
was working for me. Having the serial number gives you the credibility you need!
Thieves and liars I have no need for, sounds to me he is both! Fact is you have nothing to lose!
That SOB needs a Beating! teach him some manners!
Maybe it's just me but there is no way in hell I would let that slide! NEVER! ps
I would definitely clue his boss in at the gun shop. I know I would like to know if a thief
was working for me. Having the serial number gives you the credibility you need!
Thieves and liars I have no need for, sounds to me he is both! Fact is you have nothing to lose!
That SOB needs a Beating! teach him some manners!
Maybe it's just me but there is no way in hell I would let that slide! NEVER! ps
Chuck, your original post kind of leaves some parts for people to assume... after you made the report...what happened? What do you mean by "thief was in the service"?
powder smoke
Hawkeye
Means he was in the Military! ps
If it was almost any other gun it would not be so serious, but if someone stole my Model 19 I would have to treat it as a capital offense. I don't own a lot of guns, but the 19 is the only one to have any sort of emotional connection. Back in the days when I owned one gun for home defense, and never fired it (literally never), it was stolen in a burglary. The morning after the theft I went to the local sporting goods store and saw a shiny, nickel plated, S&W Model 19, 4 inch. I put the $307 cash on the counter and took that beauty home. For many years it was what gave me peace of mind at night, knowing I had it, and prepared to defend my family if need be. Its no longer my primary home defense gun, and is too big for concealed carry, but I take it to the range occasionally and just plain love that beautiful revolver.
If I were you I would continue to pursue this lowlife that stole it until you secure its return, one way or another.
If I were you I would continue to pursue this lowlife that stole it until you secure its return, one way or another.
mhblaw
Blackhawk
There is obviously more to this story, so take the OP with a grain of salt before jumping on his bandwagon.
mexicanjoe
Single-Sixer
Go get a copy of the offense report. The firearm should still be listed as stolen on NCIC. Have the agency make a copy to keep with you so if you run across it , you can have standing in the matter. Ive had to recover several stolen items and when a offense report is presented as proof of an offense, it strengthens your case. I have a list of my firearms, the serial numbers, a photograph of each plus any identifying marks ( engraving, special sights, nickel plating, etc etc) on a piece of paper, a copy of which is kept with my buddy Tommys gun safe, and the listed items are also on a thumb drive, which is hidden away . I also have a list of my buddies firearms in my safe in case something happens. a redundancy perhaps, but I know I have my information when I need it.
Too much missing information for me to get too worked up. Guessing police went over to his place recently and found no gun. No gun, no case. He probably got rid of it long ago.
gunzo said:
He had been to my house several times, I even helped him reload several of his ammo, I thought we were friends. and yes I called the Police and made out a report on the stolen pistol WITH THE SERIAL # of whitch I still have, he was in the army stationed somewhere in Kentucky, he was home on leave when he stole it, Yes the owner of the gun store knows that he is a thief. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT.
flyinfred
Blackhawk
Go to the police and find out what if anything they did about it and ask them how they would handle it. If owner of gun store knows about it, find another gun store. Same with club.Good luck and remember, we all know exactly how you should handle this because we are internet heros.
Busterswoodshop
Hunter
Maybe the gun store owner is a thief also.chuck said:
Maybe the gun store owner bought the gun from him.
Personally , I would find a new gun store.
That's my gut feeling as well. Oh, to be the fly on the wallmhblaw said:
The PD gave you a case number, they ALL do. Call the PD/SO records with that or even just your name etc or the SL number. IF the gun was listed as stolen it still is and will always be until recovered. It's a felony and will be investigated if this guy was listed as the thieve. If you get it back from him you need to talk to the PD who listed it as stolen and have it cleared from NCIC and LEDS. If it was ever listed as stolen and sold at any pawn or a FFL/gun shop anywhere, or to anyone in the last few years in OR it would have came back as stolen.
Sure makes me wonder the rest of the story, like was there actually a report and this guy listed as the suspect.
Sure makes me wonder the rest of the story, like was there actually a report and this guy listed as the suspect.
mistermills357
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2012
- Messages
- 850
The cops don't treat stolen guns very seriously, I had a Super Blackhawk stolen about 35 years ago. The cops came and filled out a report, and that was that. I don't think they did a thing to find it, except to list it as stolen.
Stolen guns are as good as money in the criminal world, and there are a lot of them out there.
Stolen guns are as good as money in the criminal world, and there are a lot of them out there.
I am a cop, most friends are cops. We all take stolen guns real seriously. By getting the serial number into NCIC and local computers is the best that can be done. Without a suspect how can cops go and get it back? That serial number stays in the data base as stolen until it is recovered. It will be checked every time a cop happens to see it. It will be checked when sold to or though every FFL and pawn shop. Now in some states it will be checked during every private party sale.
The oldest listed stolen gun I found was 22 years missing. It was gladly returned by me to the deceased owners son. 22 years after stolen out of his glove box while car getting worked on during a road trip. He did not discover it missing until 2 states later.
The biggest disappointment is the high number of guns found on BGs not listed as stolen, you know were stolen, but never reported. If never reported there not technically stolen. Many just do not keep records of their guns serial numbers. Without that number the gun cannot be entered into a data base.
The oldest listed stolen gun I found was 22 years missing. It was gladly returned by me to the deceased owners son. 22 years after stolen out of his glove box while car getting worked on during a road trip. He did not discover it missing until 2 states later.
The biggest disappointment is the high number of guns found on BGs not listed as stolen, you know were stolen, but never reported. If never reported there not technically stolen. Many just do not keep records of their guns serial numbers. Without that number the gun cannot be entered into a data base.
