Pistol found in auction?

[JMIS]

Question?

I watched a show last night call Auction Hunters. It's show about two guys that buy unclaimed storage lockers. What happens is, I guess the people renting the locker stop paying rent and then the locker is auction off. Well one of the lockers had a HK pistol in it. They then took the pistol to a gun shop and sold it.

My question is how can they sell a pistol that they are not the owner of?

[gnbrotz]

Question?

I watched a show last night call Auction Hunters. It's show about two guys that buy unclaimed storage lockers. What happens is, I guess the people renting the locker stop paying rent and then the locker is auction off. Well one of the lockers had a HK pistol in it. They then took the pistol to a gun shop and sold it.

My question is how can they sell a pistol that they are not the owner of?

If laws regarding nonpayment/abandoned property are followed, and he later buys the property inside the locker, how is he not the "owner" of a firearm found within the locker?

[GunLawyer001]

If they bought the contents, then they are the owner. Some states allow private sales of handguns as well as long guns (PA is not one of them).

[JMIS]

If laws regarding nonpayment/abandoned property are followed, and he later buys the property inside the locker, how is he not the "owner" of a firearm found within the locker?

I thought you would still need a paper transfer.

[Big Mike]

Last time I sold a handgun I did not have "prove" I owned the gun, just had to show my picture ID and sign some paperwork.

[knight0334]

I thought you would still need a paper transfer.

It depends on the state in which this took place. Only handful of states require proper transfers, and only 4 states require registration. In any other state you can privately buy/sell/barter handguns just as you would a used television.

[CHEMICAL]

I would also assume since they sold it directly to an FFL that its legal since an FFL is taking possession of it. That may actually be the whole reason why they take the guns that they find to him.

[Dredly]

I wonder what would happen in PA because without completing the transfer paperwork from the original seller to the new then the one selling it isn't selling a legal gun is he?

[gnbrotz]

I wonder what would happen in PA because without completing the transfer paperwork from the original seller to the new then the one selling it isn't selling a legal gun is he?

Short of manufacturing your own machine gun, there's no such thing as a "legal" or "illegal" gun. There are illegal acts, committed by people.

[twoeggsup]

I wonder what would happen in PA because without completing the transfer paperwork from the original seller to the new then the one selling it isn't selling a legal gun is he?

Wow, can't belive you typed those three words in a row

So, there is such a thing as an illegal gun! You mean Bloomberg is right?


Well, GL confirmed it as far as I'm concerned. Sounds like the original owner abandoned the property.

I suppose it's relevant that some states don't maintain illegal sales databases too.