• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

Recovering a Lost Firearm from Airport Rental company (airport police)

Allenas

Newbie
Joined
Feb 1, 2015
Messages
1
Location
Hampton, va
Just wondering if anyone ever experienced forgetting a firearm in a rental vehicle and trying to recover it. I forgot my firearm in my rental vehicle, but remembered and called the rental company to recover it. The representative at the rental company originally told me no problem, I could come back and pick it up in the garage which is where I returned the vehicle. The rental company also had a booth in the garage so the firearm never had to enter the terminal or actual airport. Before I could return I received a phone call from a lady at the rental company telling me that the firearm was turned into the airport police as normal procedure and I would need to pick it up from them. I went to the airport police to retain my firearm and I was told that procedure was that they send it off to the State for analysis. The officer stated that they needed to verify it was not involved in any type of crime before it was returned. Does anyone know if there is an official procedure or law that states this? Your input is greatly appreciated.
 

notalawyer

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Messages
1,061
Location
Florida
Just wondering if anyone ever experienced forgetting a firearm in a rental vehicle and trying to recover it. I forgot my firearm in my rental vehicle, but remembered and called the rental company to recover it. The representative at the rental company originally told me no problem, I could come back and pick it up in the garage which is where I returned the vehicle. The rental company also had a booth in the garage so the firearm never had to enter the terminal or actual airport. Before I could return I received a phone call from a lady at the rental company telling me that the firearm was turned into the airport police as normal procedure and I would need to pick it up from them. I went to the airport police to retain my firearm and I was told that procedure was that they send it off to the State for analysis. The officer stated that they needed to verify it was not involved in any type of crime before it was returned. Does anyone know if there is an official procedure or law that states this? Your input is greatly appreciated.

Forgot a firearm in a rental vehicle? HUmmmm.


This is an Open Carry forum...not sure this is relevant to the purposes of the forum....but I've been wrong before.
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
What state? Research the laws from that state. Be ready to produce proof of ownership. Worst case - they force you to get a court order for the return of your property.
 

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
It's a good question, for the experts in VA, of which we have several. Legally, I'd imagine it's not much different from any other property left behind. This was not an "abandoned" gun, as it was in YOUR rental car, and this kind of thing happens all the time. Document everything. You may have a lawsuit when it's over. You are being denied your RKBA, if that is your only firearm, and they don't have legal standing to assume otherwise.
 

skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
... procedure was that they send it off to the State for analysis. The officer stated that they needed to verify it was not involved in any type of crime before it was returned. Does anyone know if there is an official procedure or law that states this? Your input is greatly appreciated.

Generally speaking this comes under the BISS Doctrine.

You probably learned at your mother's knee how the BISS Doctrine worked - you get told something that you do not like/disagree with/feel is just plain wrong and ask "Why?"

"Because I Said So!"

Stand by for the things that may follow: an "evidence" number being etched into your gun; corrisive chemicals applied to see if the serial number has been altered; scrapings of the grips and other parts for possible blood residue. None of which will work towards solving a crime even if youor gun had been used to commit one.

However, your chain (and most likely your patience) will have been thoroughly yanked.

It is only the semblence of good manners that prevents me from asking just how the heck you "forgot" your handgun in a rental car.

stay safe.
 

davidmcbeth

Banned
Joined
Jan 14, 2012
Messages
16,167
Location
earth's crust
What does your rental contract say about it.

Is it moot on forgotten property (do they have a gun specific section?).

Post back. The contract controls.
 

skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
What does your rental contract say about it.

Is it moot on forgotten property (do they have a gun specific section?).

Post back. The contract controls.

If the contract is moot then it has no control over anything.

And whether the contract "controls" or not, the fact of the matter is that things were done and now the OP is required to deal with them.

Anticipating your "Sue them in Small Claims Court" response - what economic loss has the OP suffered at the hands of the car rental company? Even if the rental agreement said they would hunt down an owner like a rabid dog to return left-behind property and they did not, the question remains: what economic loss did their action cause?

I'm still trying very hard not to ask how someone could forget their handgun - or the Crown Jewels of England, or the missle launch codes, or the engagement ring they were bringing back to see if their sweetie would say yes - in a rental car.

stay safe.
 

twoskinsonemanns

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
2,326
Location
WV
What does your rental contract say about it.

Is it moot on forgotten property (do they have a gun specific section?).

Post back. The contract controls.

It doesn't really matter. The State now has it now. Just kick your self in the butt and kiss the gun goodbye OP. It's probably in some cop's collection by now. Start saving for a new one.
 

davidmcbeth

Banned
Joined
Jan 14, 2012
Messages
16,167
Location
earth's crust
It doesn't really matter. The State now has it now. Just kick your self in the butt and kiss the gun goodbye OP. It's probably in some cop's collection by now. Start saving for a new one.

Certainly might matter; don't know until I see the contract.

Well, the OP definitely will need at least a new barrel and firing pin.
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
What Dave is saying above is (I think - as one never knows with him) after police have had control of you gun & done who knows what with it might be a good idea to change these items and have it witnessed why it was done. Plus it would not be beyond some criminals with a badge to sabotage a firearm knowing proving such is near impossible once out of the police chain of custody. Food for thought..
 
Last edited:

Kopis

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
674
Location
Nashville, TN
I didnt read all the comments but i work for a large rental company. Our policy is that we are not allowed to touch guns (for safety/liability reasons). we are supposed to call the police and have them secure the firearm. The owner should be able to go to the police station, present ID and retrieve their firearm. Back when i was a branch manager, I would usually just lock the car and leave it where it was returned and call the owner. If they had a HCP/CCW, I'd let them retrieve it. Another manager was telling me that she called the police and they were like "sooo? just give it back to him " lol.

However, it's probably because it's at an airport too. It just depends on the manager you get. Airports have so many employees, it isnt like a small home city store where you often see the same employee when you rent and return.


It's your property. Rental companies dont want to keep your stuff, that's bad publicity but with the liability issues of a firearm, we cant let random employees retrieve a firearm that we dont know where/what it was used for last. Plus you would have to train all employees on how to safely unload every kind of firearm then carry it across a parking lot and office in front of people? Bad idea. Just go to the police station and get your gun. Post up when you get it back.


Why would OP need a new barrel and firing pin? It's not like every police station has an indoor range to take ballistics from every gun they collect. You forgot to mention the extractor too. Everyone here is making this a way bigger deal than what it is. Ive seen this happen countless times and it's never been a big deal. As long as the gun isnt stolen, they just give it back to you. (at least in tennessee)
 
Last edited:

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
I didnt read all the comments but i work for a large rental company. Our policy is that we are not allowed to touch guns (for safety/liability reasons)...
So what's your policy on what to tell the customer when he calls? The OP was told to come get it, and only after he got there did they tell him the police had it.
 

davidmcbeth

Banned
Joined
Jan 14, 2012
Messages
16,167
Location
earth's crust
<snip>


Why would OP need a new barrel and firing pin? It's not like every police station has an indoor range to take ballistics from every gun they collect. You forgot to mention the extractor too. Everyone here is making this a way bigger deal than what it is. Ive seen this happen countless times and it's never been a big deal. As long as the gun isnt stolen, they just give it back to you. (at least in tennessee)

Uh, you know that the gov't stole the gun to do ballistics ... does a BCG on AR leave identifiable marks?
 

Kopis

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
674
Location
Nashville, TN
So what's your policy on what to tell the customer when he calls? The OP was told to come get it, and only after he got there did they tell him the police had it.

I wont say who i work for but our "official" policy is as i stated previously (even if the customer calls 5 minutes later). We are to secure the vehicle and call LEOs to remove/secure the firearm. The customer may then retrieve it from LEOs. Typically, they are supposed to run NCIC on the firearm and background check or HCP on the customer then give them their firearm back.

That being said, Im obviously pro 2a so in the 3-4 times i had it happen while in a rental branch, i would lock the car, call the customer and verify they had an HCP permit. If so, i would let them retrieve it themselves. Like dont ask, dont tell. But i can say no one in our company follows rules well and the firearm policy isnt exactly reviewed regularly so it wouldnt be surprising to hear that a minimum wage counter agent type employee would say one thing then once a manager got wind of it, they would step in and say no, we need to follow policy on this. Especially at an airport facility. They change shifts there 3-4x per day.



Uh, you know that the gov't stole the gun to do ballistics ... does a BCG on AR leave identifiable marks?

the government didn't "steal" the gun to run ballistics on it. The customer left their property in a rental car and because we are not trained to handle firearms, we need to have a trained person retrieve and secure the firearm.

We dont know if it is loaded, was used in a crime, stolen, if another previous customer left it in the car and it was missed on cleanup etc. It's simply preposterous to think that you would expect a corporation to allow/want employees to handle a firearm in unknown condition, bring it into the office then hand it back to a unknown individual.

A BC would not leave marks however the extractor on the bolt itself may leave a unique mark, Im not a ballistics analyst though. I would think the mark from an extractor is not as unique as rifling on a bullet but if you're that paranoid, might as well spend the few extra bucks right?
 

davidmcbeth

Banned
Joined
Jan 14, 2012
Messages
16,167
Location
earth's crust
I wont say who i work for but our "official" policy is as i stated previously (even if the customer calls 5 minutes later). We are to secure the vehicle and call LEOs to remove/secure the firearm. The customer may then retrieve it from LEOs. Typically, they are supposed to run NCIC on the firearm and background check or HCP on the customer then give them their firearm back.

That being said, Im obviously pro 2a so in the 3-4 times i had it happen while in a rental branch, i would lock the car, call the customer and verify they had an HCP permit. If so, i would let them retrieve it themselves. Like dont ask, dont tell. But i can say no one in our company follows rules well and the firearm policy isnt exactly reviewed regularly so it wouldnt be surprising to hear that a minimum wage counter agent type employee would say one thing then once a manager got wind of it, they would step in and say no, we need to follow policy on this. Especially at an airport facility. They change shifts there 3-4x per day.





the government didn't "steal" the gun to run ballistics on it. The customer left their property in a rental car and because we are not trained to handle firearms, we need to have a trained person retrieve and secure the firearm.

We dont know if it is loaded, was used in a crime, stolen, if another previous customer left it in the car and it was missed on cleanup etc. It's simply preposterous to think that you would expect a corporation to allow/want employees to handle a firearm in unknown condition, bring it into the office then hand it back to a unknown individual.

A BC would not leave marks however the extractor on the bolt itself may leave a unique mark, Im not a ballistics analyst though. I would think the mark from an extractor is not as unique as rifling on a bullet but if you're that paranoid, might as well spend the few extra bucks right?

When one takes something that is not theirs, that's stealing IMO.

Even if you had a firearms expert, it would impossible to know if the gun has been modified to operate differently than standard so I can see the issue. And everytime I have had a cop testify, I have cross examined him/her to insure that the tribunal understands that the cop has no more knowledge on the subject at hand than an infant.
So, I know that almost all cops are not experts either.

I was wondering what the policy is in respect to a briefcase left in a car; do you call the cops and have them take it away~it might be a bomb after all.

What controls is the contract. OP has not provided this information and has seemingly not been able to do so for whatever reason. So no one can really say for sure what the rental car co. should have done in the event of forgotten firearms in cars in his instance.

Its nice to see Kopis returns guns to their owners .... be nicer to see that he does not check illegal "permission slips" in this process in the future.
 

Kopis

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
674
Location
Nashville, TN
That's not how a bullet exemplar is acquired, by putting it down range. A bucket of water is cheaper and reliable.

On information and belief, EVERY gun that passes through law enforcement hands is logged. See the general topic of crime-gun.

so they go out behind the police station and shoot a bucket of water? Do they take a scan of it after? How are the rifling and firing pin marks recorded and where are they stored?

When one takes something that is not theirs, that's stealing IMO.

Even if you had a firearms expert, it would impossible to know if the gun has been modified to operate differently than standard so I can see the issue. And everytime I have had a cop testify, I have cross examined him/her to insure that the tribunal understands that the cop has no more knowledge on the subject at hand than an infant.
So, I know that almost all cops are not experts either.

I was wondering what the policy is in respect to a briefcase left in a car; do you call the cops and have them take it away~it might be a bomb after all.

What controls is the contract. OP has not provided this information and has seemingly not been able to do so for whatever reason. So no one can really say for sure what the rental car co. should have done in the event of forgotten firearms in cars in his instance.

Its nice to see Kopis returns guns to their owners .... be nicer to see that he does not check illegal "permission slips" in this process in the future.


I definitely agree with you about many LEOs not having a clue about laws or how to operate a firearm. My buddy's girlfriend was shooting an AR pistol (buffer tube only, no Sig brace). Her dad is a Lt. at memphis PD. Anyway, when he saw the pic, he flipped his lid screaming that she was shooting an illegal gun, blah blah blah. He didnt know why it was illegal and didnt even say SBR but just the fact he had never seen a pistol AR before scared him. After we explained/showed him, he was like, wow cool, can you build me one?

yeah, i have mixed opinions on it but the law at the time was that you would need to have an HCP permit to carry a loaded pistol in the car and i need to CYA somehow since im already breaking the rules. It's the easiest/most logical way for me to help gun owners but also CYA. Im also not in the rental division anymore so it's a mute point.
 
Last edited:

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
... because we are not trained to handle firearms, we need to have a trained person retrieve and secure the firearm...

Then why call the cops? *drum, drum, cymbal*

Basically, this is best for the company, I agree.

And while I applaud your efforts to try to get the customer to come get it first, there isn't much you can do.

The real problem is the delays involved in getting it back from the uniformed hall monitors.
 

Kopis

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
674
Location
Nashville, TN
Then why call the cops? *drum, drum, cymbal*

Basically, this is best for the company, I agree.

And while I applaud your efforts to try to get the customer to come get it first, there isn't much you can do.

The real problem is the delays involved in getting it back from the uniformed hall monitors.


"allegedly" trained people... How's that? Ive had one officer disarm me in my entire life and it was so dumb because i was sitting in my car (not a cheapo), wearing a suit, freshly showered and shaved.... Not looking like a bad guy at all and he flips out, opens my car door and starts trying to feel me up for my pistol then finally gets it out of the holster and sweeps me with it while his finger was in the trigger guard... Then he sets the gun/mag down on top of my car which i had just washed/waxed. I was like wtf? is that necessary?

Then after he ran my info, he came back all cool. He said you're driving a pop n stop car... i said what? he said, these d@mn thugs will tap the back of your car to get you to stop thinking it's a fender bender then run up and rob you. I said, well that's why i carry the glock. He started saying "heII yeah man, 2A all the way, that's your right". I just sat there shaking my head.
 
Top