Hello all, my name is Steve, and I am a new member. I know it is rude to jump right into a question without introducing myself, but I have a problem and want to know the best way to go about it. I am not expecting legally binding advice or anything, just direction on what to do or consider. The explanation is going to be kind of long and meandering, but I could really use the advice as I myself am not a super knowledgeable gun guy.
First some back ground. About 4 years back I sold some land, and part of the deal was for the buyer to add some handguns to the deal, to bring his cost down. We went through an FFL for a firearm transfer, so both weapons are under my name. Almost immediately I sold one of the 2 guns, a Glock 23, but kept the Star BM because it was interesting and caught my eye. A few months after the deal, I decided to return to school, and so could not bring the Star with me, so I gave it to my grandmother to hold on to(they had a safe.) Everything was fine during my 2 years in school living on campus, and the following 2 years while I was working way upstate. I talked to my gram on occasion, and she said everything was fine, and the gun was safe.
The problem starts a month or so ago, when I decided I wanted the gun back. I went to my grams and asked for it, and she told me my Uncle was holding onto it. Ok, no big deal, me and my Uncle have never gotten along but we are polite to each other at least. I contacted him, and asked for it back, and he told me that since my grandmother GAVE it to him to hold onto, it is no longer mine, and I can not have it back. The issue is, the weapon is still registered in my name, I did not sell it or give it away and thus there is no BOS for it proving it is not in my possession, and I did not know he had it until a month back. He will not give it back, but since it is under my name legally, I kind of need to have it back. If he sells or gives it to a friend, and they do something with it, I will get in trouble for not having a BOS transferring it out of my control, or reporting it stolen. I do not want him arrested per se, and would prefer to do this as quickly and cleanly as possible, but if I have no other choice I will take the full on legal route and report it stolen and submit the evidence that he has it and refuses to give it back. So...any particular way i can handle this quickly and easily, or will I have to go all the way?
Again, sorry for jumping right into this, but I do not know what else to do. I really don't feel like being arrested for not reporting a gun stolen if it is used in a crime, but I would also prefer not to send my Uncle to jail or give him a felony record if I can help it. Thank you for your time.
First some back ground. About 4 years back I sold some land, and part of the deal was for the buyer to add some handguns to the deal, to bring his cost down. We went through an FFL for a firearm transfer, so both weapons are under my name. Almost immediately I sold one of the 2 guns, a Glock 23, but kept the Star BM because it was interesting and caught my eye. A few months after the deal, I decided to return to school, and so could not bring the Star with me, so I gave it to my grandmother to hold on to(they had a safe.) Everything was fine during my 2 years in school living on campus, and the following 2 years while I was working way upstate. I talked to my gram on occasion, and she said everything was fine, and the gun was safe.
The problem starts a month or so ago, when I decided I wanted the gun back. I went to my grams and asked for it, and she told me my Uncle was holding onto it. Ok, no big deal, me and my Uncle have never gotten along but we are polite to each other at least. I contacted him, and asked for it back, and he told me that since my grandmother GAVE it to him to hold onto, it is no longer mine, and I can not have it back. The issue is, the weapon is still registered in my name, I did not sell it or give it away and thus there is no BOS for it proving it is not in my possession, and I did not know he had it until a month back. He will not give it back, but since it is under my name legally, I kind of need to have it back. If he sells or gives it to a friend, and they do something with it, I will get in trouble for not having a BOS transferring it out of my control, or reporting it stolen. I do not want him arrested per se, and would prefer to do this as quickly and cleanly as possible, but if I have no other choice I will take the full on legal route and report it stolen and submit the evidence that he has it and refuses to give it back. So...any particular way i can handle this quickly and easily, or will I have to go all the way?
Again, sorry for jumping right into this, but I do not know what else to do. I really don't feel like being arrested for not reporting a gun stolen if it is used in a crime, but I would also prefer not to send my Uncle to jail or give him a felony record if I can help it. Thank you for your time.
