Legal Question in Criminal Law in Tennessee

Years ago, I reported a stolen handgun. Recently the gun has been returned to me. A drug addicted friend, unbeknownst to me, took it. She is now clean and has returned the gun to me. It has been in her parents' attic for these many years. It was never even cleaned after I last shot it years ago. Now that I have the gun back, what do I need to do in order to keep it? I do not remember when the report was filed and have no numbers or information to find the record of the report.


Asked on 5/31/16, 10:12 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Bloodworth

Call or visit the local police or sheriff department. Give them the serial number of the pistol. They will run an "NCIC" check and determine the original reporting agency and case number from when you reported it stolen. Then that agency can remove it from the stolen weapons list as a recovered/found pistol back in the possession of the rightful owner.

But it is important that you remove it from the NCIC database of missing/stolen weapons. Otherwise YOU might be found to be "in possession of s stolen firearm" the next time you go to a range and someone runs the pistol serial number. Also, if you ever want to sell the pistol, the buyer may want to have it "run by NCIC" to insure it is not stolen property.

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Answered on 6/01/16, 8:38 am


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