Call the cops and turn it in. You don't know if it has been used in a crime, ie a murder. If you get caught with it later on it could very well cause you some major malfunctions with the legal system and maybe even a decent some of money for legal defense. Besides, even if it wasn't used in a crime, if you lost one or had one stolen you would want whoever found it to do the right thing so you could possibly get it back. Honestly is always the best way to go, and unlike dishonesty, it won't come back and bite you in the arse later down the road.

 

Call the cops and turn it in. You don't know if it has been used in a crime, ie a murder. If you get caught with it later on it could very well cause you some major malfunctions with the legal system and maybe even a decent some of money for legal defense. Besides, if you lost one or had one stolen you would want whoever found it to do the right thing so you could possibly get it back.

Yep, you don't want to be found with the murder weapon, even if you don't know anyone involved.

 

Legal obligation-none

moral obligation-try and find the owner

CYA obligation-find out if it's been reported stolen. I would imagine that once you tell the police that you found it, they will keep it.

 

I very much doubt that there is no legal obligation to turn in a firearm that you've found.

You do not want to keep a weapon that may have a body on it. Why else would it be lying around if it was not used in a crime.

 

This actually happened to us in November when my 17 yr old found a gun in the gutter near our house.

We turned that thing in and didn't touch it. No way I want anything to do with a gun that I don't know the full background on.

 

Yeah, don't touch it so as not to leave your prints or DNA on it. Call the cops and wait for them to arrive and take possession of it.

 

It is like those stories of people finding 10k in cash.....do the right thing, just dont touch it.

 

Yes, any firearm you lost or misplace you are ultimately liable for forever. That even includes any firearm you lost or misplaced and report it too. If that firearm is used in a crime and it was on the street because you lost it or misplaced it. You are ultimately liable for it too.

 

Turn it in.

 

Wow...call it in, don't touch it.

So many reasons to not get involved.


...better yet, just don't find it.

 

Firearm, large amount of cash or hard drugs, call the cops (of course, a kilo of pot may warrant a call as well).

 

See post #2...........:thumb:

 

Takes less time to make a quick call versus trying to talk your way out of a receiving stolen goods charge.

 

In reality, I think the chances are very remote that the average person will ever find themselves in the situation.

 

I have actually found several mostly long guns - I disconnect plumbing utilities / scrap houses before demo.
I take them and turn them in - when ever they offer A reward Witch is about every year