Deceased brother's pistol confiscated by police

[deanald2pt0]

Sorry for your loose. I hope your brother's firearm is returned to you promptly.

 

[MACHINEGUN]

I'm very sorry to hear this.. I'd stay on top of this if I were you! My condolences to you and your family in this rough time!

 

[00BlasterResto]

My neighbor died last summer, I knew him pretty well and knew that he kept a glock 22 in his mini-van.
He died of a heart attack, but at first the cause was unknown. An officer came over and asked me some questions, a question came up and I let the officer know that he usually kept it in his vehicle. The mans father was on the scene by this time. The officer went over said something to his father, then got in the van, cleared the pistol and handed it immediatly over to the deceased mans father who put it in his own vehicle....
I don't know if what happened with you was standard or not, this is just how I saw it done.
Sorry for your loss.

 

[Fullmag]

Sorry for your loss. Not sure what to do, have dealt a little with probate. I'm thinking once next of kin is established it will be okay.

 

[Kutnupe14]

Firstly, sorry for your loss OP

My neighbor died last summer, I knew him pretty well and knew that he kept a glock 22 in his mini-van.
He died of a heart attack, but at first the cause was unknown. An officer came over and asked me some questions, a question came up and I let the officer know that he usually kept it in his vehicle. The mans father was on the scene by this time. The officer went over said something to his father, then got in the van, cleared the pistol and handed it immediatly over to the deceased mans father who put it in his own vehicle....
I don't know if what happened with you was standard or not, this is just how I saw it done.
Sorry for your loss.

You hint at the reasoning that why the OP's brother's firearm was taken, but I'll flat out spell it out. The immediate area where a person is found deceased, is initially considered a crime scene. In all the other cases of deaths people have relayed within this thread, their weapons had been stored or placed elsewhere. In the OP's brother's instance, a gun was found on the nightstand next to the bed. Any sane PD isnt going to let that think walk off, until clarification of cause of death has been made (and you cant do that in 20 minutes).

 

[Kutnupe14]

I am really not trying to be a butt I just really don't understand when a GUN makes such a big hairy difference.

Not sure if srs?

A gun found immediately next to a deceased person doesn't garner anymore interest in your mind than say a piece of art or gold watch?

 

[Hornett]

Well, unless he has a gunshot wound, then no, it doesn't.
Did the gun find a way to strangle him in his sleep and now it has to be held for questioning?
Wait wait I know. An assassin gave him heart attack drops and forgot to take his gun when he slipped out the window. Now they are going to get the assassins prints from the wayward gun.

Purple because I don't really mean to offend, I just don't get it.
I'm sorry I really don't see the big deal.
Except for the misconception that it is a SCARY EVIIIILLL GUN.

You tell me.
What could that gun possibly add to the investigation that would not apply to a table lamp?

Edit to the OP:
I am sorry for your loss...

 

[.40caltrucker]

Firstly, sorry for your loss OP



You hint at the reasoning that why the OP's brother's firearm was taken, but I'll flat out spell it out. The immediate area where a person is found deceased, is initially considered a crime scene. In all the other cases of deaths people have relayed within this thread, their weapons had been stored or placed elsewhere. In the OP's brother's instance, a gun was found on the nightstand next to the bed. Any sane PD isnt going to let that think walk off, until clarification of cause of death has been made (and you cant do that in 20 minutes).

Exactly, in the OP he says his brother was found dead. Since police aren't medical examiners they can't determine if it was natural, or foul play. Until a medical examiner examines the body the police have to initially assume foul play. For all they knew he could have been smothered and the robber was in a hurry and forgot his gun.

If anyone can tell us how a non medically trained person can tell if someone was smothered/drugged vs natural causes, I'll gladly retract my statement.


To op were you there at the time they found him or before they removed him from his apartment?



http://billingsgazette.com/news/loc...f9-ab82-9282b0135373.html?oCampaign=hottopics

http://www.kare11.com/rss/article/949096/14/Burglars-using-obituaries-to-target-victims-in-Waseca-Co

http://www.snopes.com/crime/intent/adthief.asp

The police definitely had a proper reason to secure the gun if you weren't there.

 

[Hornett]

How do they know the robber didnt forget the watch on the dresser?

 

[.40caltrucker]

How do they know the robber didnt forget the watch on the dresser?

Is a watch a deadly weapon a robber could have brought with him to use in a murder?

 

[40calPUNISHER]

Call up the department and tell them they took your gun that you were letting your brother borrow.

 

[Lodogg2221]

Call up the department and tell them they took your gun that you were letting your brother borrow.

Lying to them isnt a good way to go, especially since he already stated it was his brother gun, and already has someone looking into it.

 

[Hornett]

Is a watch a deadly weapon a robber could have brought with him to use in a murder?

All robbers and murderers need a watch to coordinate their nefarious activities with their cronies.
just sayin'

 

[gum507]

My condolences for your loss, but that is how it works with a firearm.

 

[sloughfoot]

I am sorry for your loss. Many times weapons that might be part of the deceased becoming deceased, are taken into custody until the Coroner has made his ruling on cause of death.

You should have no problem getting the gun back if it was, indeed, a death from natural causes.

The Police don't want to keep his gun, they are just trying to get it all right.

The word, "confiscated" is inflammatory and not correct.

 

[Tin Cup]

We just had something similar happen. Found a gun in the residence and took possession of it
Family came and got it no big deal. Its for safe keeping. They dont take gold, sissors, watches, etc because no one is going to use those items to hurt someone if it falls into the wrong hands. Just call the PD and ask how/when you can come and get the firearm.

 

[Kutnupe14]

Well, unless he has a gunshot wound, then no, it doesn't.
Did the gun find a way to strangle him in his sleep and now it has to be held for questioning?
Wait wait I know. An assassin gave him heart attack drops and forgot to take his gun when he slipped out the window. Now they are going to get the assassins prints from the wayward gun.

Purple because I don't really mean to offend, I just don't get it.
I'm sorry I really don't see the big deal.
Except for the misconception that it is a SCARY EVIIIILLL GUN.

You tell me.
What could that gun possibly add to the investigation that would not apply to a table lamp?

Edit to the OP:
I am sorry for your loss...

Any number of things, im not going to illustrate examples due to how insensitive they may appear, with a grieving OP. PM me, and I'll give you several examples.

 

[Deet]

Sorry for your loss. I am also disturbed by the ease to which anyone can enter into a crime scene and just start stealing stuff. If it is a crime scene then secure the area take pictures of the room and such and list all the items taken for the investigation. If anyone removes personnal items from a crime scene and doesn't provide documentation of what they are taking, then I would treat their actions as stealing. I am sure department regulations were broken in this case. Secure the crime scene, which means don't disturb the victim or the surrounding area, call for a detective , coroner, crime scene investigator and the chief etc, don't put your crubby paws all over the place, especially on a gun which may have been used in a crime. I have zero formal training in securing a crime scene, but even a rookie knows better than to tamper with any and all evidence at a crime scene.

 

[Kutnupe14]

Sorry for your loss. I am also disturbed by the ease to which anyone can enter into a crime scene and just start stealing stuff. If it is a crime scene then secure the area take pictures of the room and such and list all the items taken for the investigation. If anyone removes personnal items from a crime scene and doesn't provide documentation of what they are taking, then I would treat their actions as stealing. I am sure department regulations were broken in this case. Secure the crime scene, which means don't disturb the victim or the surrounding area, call for a detective , coroner, crime scene investigator and the chief etc, don't put your crubby paws all over the place, especially on a gun which may have been used in a crime. I have zero formal training in securing a crime scene, but even a rookie knows better than to tamper with any and all evidence at a crime scene.

That's exactly how things are done, minus the Chief (at least in the Golden Ghetto). There are a lot of assumptions being made about how this situation was handled.
The OP stated his brother lived alone. I don't need to tell you, that there despicable people that read obituaries looking for homes to loot (seen it happen). Leaving a firearm in an unoccupied residence isn't the wisest thing in the world to do.

 

[mydoghasfleas]

Sorry for your loss. As stated by Kirk and Kutnupe14 I am sure it was handled properly. Let us know about the outcome