There are many circumstances where police may seize a person’s gun(s) and hold them. Usually this is in cases where:

1. You were arrested while carrying a gun.
2. Someone filed a restraining order against you.
3. Someone else was carrying your gun, and they were arrested.
4. Your gun was stolen, and later used in a crime.
5. You were charged with certain wildlife or hunting offenses.

In  order to recover your gun(s), the first step is to determine where they are located. In cases where the gun was involved in a crime, it is very likely that it is being held in evidence by the charging agency. In cases involving restraining orders, it is the duty of the county Sheriff to collect and store them.

Once the gun(s) have been located, you must next decide whether it is worth it to try and reclaim them. In addition to legal fees, you may be required to pay storage fees. The Sheriff may charge a “reasonable fee” to store any firearms that he has seized. These costs can add up quickly, and, depending on the number of guns, the storage fee may be more than the gun(s) are worth.

Finally, if you wish to retrieve your gun(s), time is of the essence. In cases where your gun(s) have been seized due to a restraining order, the Sheriff is permitted to sell or destroy your gun(s) if you do not petition for their return very quickly.

Ordinarily, pursuing the return of guns which have been seized by the police is a losing proposition. In situations where the guns or gun collection are especially valuable, or hold sentimental value, we can help you to petition for their return. Contact our office to discuss how we can help you to retrieve your gun(s) if they were seized by the police.