Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Huffman
George
What about the guy who sold it to you was he the one that stole it ? If so why wasnt he charged with anything ? Sounds like hes free to do it again !
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You don't have to prove he stole it, the charge would be " in possession of a stolen firearm". It is unfortunate that you did not contact the authorities and have them present when he showed up to sell you the gun. You were playing with fire in the time period when you purchased the item from him and finally had it released to you. In that time you were in possession of a stolen firearm, and could have been charged with such. I assume your friend who has access to NCIC was either a law enforcement officer or a police dispatcher of some sorts. Did those folks try an initiate a case on this, and find the person who you purchased this from? Glad in this case it turned out well, but it could have ended up to be your worst nightmare. But when you are dealing with a stolen firearm it is not your right or duty to take possession of it and try and find the rightful owner. Quite the contrary, you are now breaking the law yourself. Your duty is to alert the correct authorities and help them find the original seller so that person can be prosecuted and to let them take care of finding the rightful owner. Plus there is a federal NCIC offense if your person did not open a case # on the "hit" on the guns serial number. NCIC Terminals face yearly in house audits by the FBI, and if that hit is queried by the auditor they will want to see the case file generated by the hit. Sorry, JMHO.
I just read your original posting on this stolen gun. I now wish you had been caught and prosecuted.