Am I liable if my gun is stolen?
Asked by: Maxime Considine | Last update: July 25, 2025Score: 5/5 (1 votes)
While criminal charges against owners of a stolen gun are rare, civil charges are not. A victim or a victim's family can sue you in civil court, especially if you were careless with the storage and security of your firearm.
What happens if someone steals your firearm?
As soon as you suspect your gun is lost or stolen, call your local police and report it. If you don't have the serial number, contact the firearms dealer where you purchased the firearm or your state's firearms registration office if your state has one.
Can you be held liable for a stolen gun?
If your gun was taken without your consent and used to commit a crime, you cannot be held criminally or civilly responsible. If you let the individual borrow your gun, unaware of what they were going to do with it, you may face civil penalties.
Will insurance cover a stolen gun?
The types of personal property affected are those items that burglars or thieves target. These items include guns, cash, precious metals or coins, stamps, fine arts, jewelry, furs, goldware, and others. Most policies limit coverage for the theft of guns between a limit of $1,500 and $5,000 TOTAL (not for each gun).
Are stolen guns returned to owners?
If your weapon is a handgun, a handgun generally cannot, be returned unless it is recorded in the Automated Firearms System as being owned by or loaned to the person who seeks its return. (Cal. Penal Code § 33855, subd. (a)(b).).
What do I do if my Firearm is Lost or Stolen
Can police track a stolen gun?
ATF's National Tracing Center is the United States' only crime gun tracing facility. ATF's National Tracing Center is authorized to trace firearms by the Gun Control Act of 1968.
How many states require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms?
Summary of State Law
Sixteen states and the District of Columbia require firearm owners to report the loss or theft of any firearms to law enforcement.
Do I report a stolen gun?
In the event of a theft or loss, they must report it within 48 hours to the ATF and their local law enforcement agency. Here's a step-by-step guide to reporting a stolen or lost firearm: Report to Local Law Enforcement: After finding a firearm missing from your inventory, call your local law enforcement agency.
How do police know if a gun is stolen?
Finding Out Whether a Gun is Stolen
If you have suspicions that a gun is stolen, law enforcement can run the firearm through a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) by serial number database.
Should you insure your firearms?
Given today's litigious society, it may also be in your best interest to purchase additional coverage to protect you, your family, and your assets from liability lawsuits. Talk to your independent agent about your firearms and whether you could benefit from an umbrella endorsement.
Is theft of a firearm considered grand theft regardless of the value?
PC 487 defines grand theft as stealing personal property, real estate, money, or labor worth more than $950 or property directly from someone regardless of its value. Grand theft also includes a motor vehicle or firearm.
What percentage of guns are stolen?
While this number seems exceptionally high, the truth is that less than a fraction (only 0.042%) of civilian-owned firearms in the United States are stolen each year.
Can I find my gun serial number online?
You can perform a gun serial number lookup using online databases from agencies like the ATF or local law enforcement. Additionally, firearm manufacturers often have historical records that can help trace a gun's origins, especially for older models.
Is it a felony to possess a stolen firearm?
Until several years ago, it was a felony offense to have possession of a stolen gun. Then, in 2014, California passed Prop 47, which reduced certain felonies to misdemeanor crimes or made them wobbler offenses.
Can I get in trouble if my gun is stolen in Texas?
If convicted, the individual could face between 180 days and 2 years in a state jail facility. Additionally, there is the potential for a fine of up to $10,000. These penalties reflect the serious nature of firearm theft in the state.
Can I get in trouble if my gun is stolen in Florida?
Penalties for Stolen Firearms Possession in Florida
1. Imprisonment: A person convicted of possession of stolen firearms may face a maximum sentence of up to five years in state prison. 2. Fines: In addition to incarceration, the court may impose fines of up to $5,000 for a third-degree felony conviction.
What happens if someone steals my gun?
Upon discovery of any theft or loss of any of your firearms:
First, call your local law enforcement agency to report the theft or loss. Contacting the local law enforcement authorities is essential to the quick recovery of firearms taken in a crime.
Can police see if you own a firearm?
Law enforcement can search the firearm sales and registration records to identify any weapons purchased by or registered to an individual.
Can you put a tracker on your gun?
Frequently Asked Questions About Gun Tracking
Yes, it's possible to put a tracker on a gun or firearm.
Will car insurance cover a stolen gun?
Most policies, including comprehensive car insurance policies, won't cover the loss of guns. Instead, depending on the specifics of your policy, your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy could cover your stolen gun up to a certain dollar amount. The same goes for your less-than-lethal personal property.
Can I check if my gun is stolen?
Use Online Databases: Utilize online resources like the National Tracing Center to search for the serial number. These databases can reveal whether the firearm has been reported stolen, involved in a violent crime, or legally transferred.
Can I report my car stolen if my husband took it?
Unfortunately, any registered owner of a car may take possession without the permission of other co-owners. So, while you can not report it stolen, you can legally take it back if you find it on the street or in public.
How often are stolen guns recovered?
How Many Total Stolen Guns Are Recovered. 316,907 stolen guns were recovered by law enforcement agencies nationwide between 2017-2021. 57.1% of firearms stolen in transit were recovered within 90 days of the incident, while only 45% of guns stolen from FFL dealers were recovered within 90 days.
How many states have background checks for gun owners?
States with universal background check laws
As of 2024, 22 states and the District of Columbia require background checks for at least some private sales of firearms; of these, 19 states and the District of Columbia require background checks for all gun sales.
Where is gun ownership allowed?
As of 2024, 22 U.S. states required background checks and/or permits for the purchase of a handgun. A further 13 states had regulations on openly carrying firearms in public, however, only California, Connecticut, Florida, and Illinois had completely prohibited open carry for all firearms.