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Old March 18, 2010, 11:05 AM   #23
Powderman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 7, 2001
Location: Washington State
Posts: 2,166
Police departments go through a lengthly procedure when any firearm is recovered before final disposal. (NOTE WELL: This is what a "normal" Department does; departments in REALLY gun-unfriendly jurisdictions, like CA or IL do not qualify, unfortunately.)

All departments run the firearms through the Triple I (III) database. If your gun is stolen, AND a report has been filed, AND the firearm has been entered into the system, it never, EVER goes off the system unless it is recovered. When the gun is recovered, every effort is made to re-unite the gun with its rightful owner, and the gun is returned.

If the gun can not be tracked to a specific owner, then it is held for a certain amount of time (varies by Department, and also depending if it is evidence of a crime or not).

In Washington State, departments are mandated to then dispose of the guns to a licensed dealer. Unfortunately, some other jurisdictions (see above) can and do often opt for destruction.

Now, a very, VERY important message for YOU (yes, YOU) if you own ANY firearms. The single most important thing you can do is to RECORD THE SERIAL NUMBERS OF YOUR GUNS. Why?

If the guns are stolen, you file the police report. The guns can be then entered in the Triple-I database--ONLY IF YOU HAVE THE SERIAL NUMBER. If you do NOT have the serial number, the chances of you EVER getting your gun back go to zero. PLEASE record your serial numbers.
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