Turning in a pistol

Jsmegs77 · Jan 31, 2023

Ouch, that’s a damned if you do damned if you don’t hot potato for sure. My biggest concern would be that the gun was stolen or the serial number defaced.

In America, I’d likely call the cops to inquire if it were stolen and if it was not, keep it myself…. But we don’t live there, and being charged with possession of such a thing is, in my view, a very real possibility in a situation like this.

kev74 · Jan 31, 2023

Talk to your local FFL and see if they'll take it in.

togmaster · Jan 31, 2023

Does she want to jam up the SO?

Saltwater60 · Jan 31, 2023

This happens all the time. If she wants to get rid of it I would have her call the local police station and ask them how to proceed. She could consult a lawyer but I know of 2-3 people that have done this recently and had no issues turning them over to the police. The cops may ask who the SO is and ask them questions.
The gun will get ran so theft and crime purposes and then likely destroyed. If any accessories are legal to keep she could keep that. If she doesn’t want to mess with the cops she could keep the accessories and destroy the other parts. I’m assuming it’s a plastic gun with a serial number on it and she could toss it in a fire pit outside and melt it.

Saltwater60 · Jan 31, 2023

kev74 said:
Talk to your local FFL and see if they'll take it in.

I would be afraid to do this because an FFL might think it’s a sting and call the cops. The FFL can’t really do anything with it because it’s a pistol and she has no legal authority to have it. How would an FFL justify a pistol proofing out of thin air and it may come back to bite her in the ass later.

kev74 · Jan 31, 2023

If it's something that has value, it would be a shame to give it to the cops to be destroyed.

togmaster · Jan 31, 2023

Tell the so to come get their shit first. That way it's on them if there is a problem afterward. Best to avoid going to cops for anything.

kev74 · Jan 31, 2023

Saltwater60 said:
I would be afraid to do this because an FFL might think it’s a sting and call the cops. The FFL can’t really do anything with it because it’s a pistol and she has no legal authority to have it. How would an FFL justify a pistol proofing out of thin air and it may come back to bite her in the ass later.

After a friend died, his family gave me one of his pistols. They didn't have his pistol permit.

My local FFL took the pistol in, gave me an "acquired" receipt and a "disposed of" receipt to give to the family incase anyone came around asking about it.

kev74 · Jan 31, 2023

Or bring it to a buy back and get a $25 gift card for it, no questions asked.

livingston · Jan 31, 2023

Talk to a lawyer ... With all the gun buybacks and no questions asked doubt she would be in trouble.

dwa12479 · Jan 31, 2023

It blows my mind that these are the discussion we have to have in this state. FUNY.

Anyway, wherever she's located, I think I personally would skip the local PD and I would talk to the county sherrifs office and ask them how they would like to receive it. They really should take it no questions asked.

togmaster · Jan 31, 2023

dwa12479 said:
It blows my mind that these are the discussion we have to have in this state. FUNY.

Anyway, wherever she's located, I think I personally would skip the local PD and I would talk to the county sherrifs office and ask them how they would like to receive it. They really should take it no questions asked.

The key point to be aware of is the SO never had a permit. There will be questions asked about this if it's turned in to the fuzz.

Cavalry · Jan 31, 2023

In my county you declare amnesty for a unregistered pistol, turn it in, they check it out and if all is good it goes on your permit. Done it many times with out of state pistols.
I think before any decision is made it should be found out what it is. Its always possible its a black powder, or a pre 98 antique. I sure wouldnt turn in a modern revolver that had substantial value.

pjzwtl · Jan 31, 2023

Really nothing to worry about she found it in her new home if she wants it gone call the Sheriff. I know 2 people who found old pistols in their home one had it added to his permit after the SO ran it and the other had it held until he got his permit. This fear is unfounded, it’s a damn shame what this state is doing to people

Zerex · Jan 31, 2023

Her mindset is clear and is not a gun person.
No good deed goes unpunished, and LE may mark her like it was an assault weapon discovery.

River disposals are popular on tv or vacant lots.

In her case calling the cops to come pickit up and telling the truth might work.
Plenty of unregistered weapons reside in NYS, especially the Bronx.

She might wait until a gun buyback, no questions asked, surrender program.

C3D · Jan 31, 2023

Seriously, although there is a procedure in the Penal Law for turning in a gun in a situation like this - it is a hell of a lot easier and safer to throw it into a lake. Or drive it out of state to PA or VT.

GOPerfect · Jan 31, 2023

I would contact the County Sheriff's office. Not the Local PD. Claim complete ignorance to where it come from and do not offer up any information. She should tell the Deputy that she was going through a bunch of old boxes and came across it.

Or, find some deep water.

Deplorable Me · Jan 31, 2023

In conclusion. In NY no good deed will go unpunished.

repete · Jan 31, 2023

Just call the local SO and explain she found it in the top of a closet or in the attic whatever and to please come and get it. Keep to the truth as much as possible and don't add details. Details can mess you up, what happens when she spins a tale of finding outside or something and they run the # and find it belongs to the ex's father?

pshift · Jan 31, 2023

FP1201 · Jan 31, 2023

search for a "gun buy back" and dispose of it there with no questions asked and paid for your troubles.

thughes · Jan 31, 2023

dwa12479 said:
It blows my mind that these are the discussion we have to have in this state.

Yep! Is it a nice piece? If so, I'll take it. Buncha weenies worrying about "ohhh, what should I do with this".....just give it to someone who lives in a state where this kind of conversation would never even take place.

The fact that a law-abiding citizen has to worry about going to jail for simply trying to turn in a firearm that they found is fucking ridiculous.

/end rant

Hillbilly77 · Jan 31, 2023

I’ll bet she could find a willing buyer in Utica or Syracuse.

OwnTheRide · Jan 31, 2023

dwa12479 said:
It blows my mind that these are the discussion we have to have in this state. FUNY.

No kidding. Someone is legitimately concerned for their freedom because they found something in their house that they have an enumerated right to possess. Can you imagine facing many years in prison for protesting without a permit? Or voting without registering? Or refusing to consent to a search? Or refusing to testify against yourself? This state is upside down.

Doc8404 · Jan 31, 2023

pjzwtl said:
Really nothing to worry about she found it in her new home if she wants it gone call the Sheriff. I know 2 people who found old pistols in their home one had it added to his permit after the SO ran it and the other had it held until he got his permit. This fear is unfounded, it’s a damn shame what this state is doing to people

agreed.
But I don’t think driving it to the police station is a good idea.
Get pulled over, “yeah just taking this pistol in. I swear.”

Then again concealed is concealed.

Turning in a pistol

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