Josey Wales wrote:
Welcome to the forum!
What reason did they give for the confiscation? Did they write a receipt for the firearms? Did you use the DOJ form to have yourweapons released? How long did it take to take possession of said firearms? What section of the state are you from?
Thank you.
Bear in mind this was some time ago, but to paraphrase Officer Friendly… In the case of a DV all firearms have to be removed from the premises. Period. I was not given any further explanation. I was only provided with a "receipt" in the broadest sense of the word, and only after I politely demanded one. I was in pretty rough shape and frankly, not as mentally sharp (lol) as I usually am.
At any rate, said officer scratched out something to the effect of a Bill of Sale using a page from the little spiral-bound notebook he took from his shirt pocket; there was nothing even remotely "official" used. I got names, the date, serial numbers and make/model numbers recorded on what amounted to a scrap of paper and remember having a deeply sinking feeling in my gut as he walked away with every pistol I own dangling from his fingers (which were inserted into the trigger-guards). I even remember offering to allow him to use soft-cases because they were banging against one another. I still cringe at the thought of that sight…
It was roughly three months before I was able to take possession of my property again. I was informed by mail that I could pick up my pistols from the local Police Station. When I arrived to claim my pistols I was told that due to a recent change in the law, effective January 1st, I would have to "apply" (their word) to take possession of my firearms. This meant a NICS check from what I could tell. I can't say with absolute certainty that it was the same DoJ form used for a new firearms purchase, but I’m 99% sure it was.
More to the point, the real issue quickly became that while the crime had taken place in November - hence prior to this new law taking effect - my pick-up letter was dated sometime mid-February and so
after the new law had taken effect. This confusion took some days to figure out and it was decided that the forms would be required. With that cleared up I was told that each form was good for up to two firearms, so I had to fill out two forms AND pay two fees. I can’t recall if it was another ten-days after that that I was allowed to take physical custody of my property or not but I believe it was.
I live in northern San Diego county.