I just walked into F&I Pawn shop in Sherman Texas with a copy of the original sales sheet (yellow form) from when I bought my Remington 700 sendero stainless in .300wby that was reported stolen a few weeks ago.

I politely explained that my rifles had been stolen and here is proof that its mine and the sheet has my name,drivers liciense number and the rifles serial number on the sheet.

The manager said "I dont care about you getting your property as long as I get my money back."

I told him that "im in college and I cant afford to buy my own property back which I have proof in hand is mine"

To which he replied

"I'll take my chances in the property hearing givin the factor that a relative of yours was the one who stole them; and if I get awarded the rifles. Then your going to have a really hard time getting them back."

I understand that its just a business but he paid $400.00 on the pawn loan and was trying to get $1,250.00 for the rifle on his self. If your are going to make a 200% profit on something then you will have to deal with the risks associated with that profit margin.

What do you guys think?

Am I being unreasonable asking to get my property back with out paying $400.00(for one rifle he has 2 of mine), when I have evidence in hand?

Further more I take his "if I get awarded them you are going to have really hard time getting them back" comment as an attempt to extort his $400.00 pawn fee out of me, by using fear of loosing my rifles.

I've been following this since you first posted a couple of weeks ago. Here's what I don't understand....if an individual still had the rifle, they would be in possession of a stolen rifle. But since it is a business, the law doesn't view it the same way? Why?
Has the relative been arrested for this yet? If so, aren't you entitled to restitutions?

And BTW - I will make sure that nobody I know ever steps foot in that pawnshop.

I might start a new website...F&IPawnSucks.com.

Wow I've always hated the people at F&I Pawn, I would think that if you had yellow form in hand with photo ID proving it was your guns and you have a police report saying they were stolen, Don't the pawn shop have to give you your guns back??? That just doesn't seem right to me. Have you called the cops on the Pawn Shop??? Waiting to see how this turns out.

I missed the first posts. Why aren't the police involved?

Given the information I've seen thus far, I think concerned THF-ers might consider mounting a group effort to mail/email/call the owner of this establishment with our thoughts and reminders that his business can only benefit by his doing the right thing and can only suffer lost patrons by continuing down his current path.

What did the police say? I can't see how he can sell a stolen firearm. It should come up as hot when he sells it and calls it in, correct? I would call the ATF if he insists on being an SOB. Call his bluff & take it as far as the courts will allow... & possibly a bit farther, if it comes to that.

The key here is did you report that serial number as stolen as soon as you found out it was gone??

If so I dont see how on earth he can leagaly sell a stolen gun!

You can show all the yellow sheets to him you want, but if you did not report it stolen ASAP then your SOL!

Several years ago I had a pistol stolen from my house by a friend while we were having a BBQ, it wasn't until 2 week's later that I noticed it was missing. Reported it stolen but couldn't tell them who stole it or when it was stolen. About a month later I went into a local pawnshop just seeing if he had any good buys. There it was sitting in his display case, an old flat-top 44 with rosewood grip's. I asked him if I could look at it and noted the serial number, I handed it back and went to the house and immediately called the SO. Deputy came over and verified it was mine. 30 minutes later he pulls up with pistol in hand. I asked him what the pawnshop owner said and he said he didn't care what he had to say, a stolen guns a stolen gun. My ex friend later denied he stole it but he did by it from a guy at the truck stop. Yea right!

Go to the police. It's what I would have went and done before going into the pawn shop. Or talk to a lawyer.

I would defintley get the gun in the property room and while its there work with the ATF and local law enforement. He cant sell what he aint got!!! I worked in a pawn shop too long too know the good/bad and ugly..

I think you've talked to to pawn owner enough, your lucky he admits to having your gun and will give it back at cost. And if the police won't do anything. Take him up in his offer and buy back your own gun and try to get a receipt of sales that gives you the name and proof of the thief or a receipt from the pawn shop, then talk them to small clams court and get your money back.

My dad had his guns stolen and checked some pawn shops, with the plan of looking for a special one (his gun). The pawn broker had one that he had purchased and had to hold for 90 days, but figures they wouldn't be back for it. My mom slipped and told them he had one stolen just like it. The broker then kicked them out of his store for accusing him of being a thief.

I had some dirtbikes and atv's stolen a few years ago and I was told by the APD that once the items have been identified, then they become evidence and are to be returned to the rightful owner, regardless of who's posession they are in. Technically, they are stolen property. If they are out cash, then they need to go after the guy who pawned them for it, it's not your fault and it shouldn't be your problem.

Lack of ethics on their part shouldn't constitute a financial loss on your part.

If law enforcement is involved, they can put a hold on the gun so it can't be sold before the matter is resolved. Unfortunately, the pawn shop now has money invested in the gun, so they have a financial stake in it (legally). I'm not saying it's right, just the way the law works. Some pawnbrokers choose to work with the victim, and some just want to be jerks.

I would go to the closest PD station and explain the situation. Tell them you want your gun back.
If that doesn`t work, go up the chain of command.
Keep on going up the chain until you get satisfaction.
(your gun back) You might have to take the Chief into the pawn shop with you. DON`T GIVE UP !!!

If you procrastinate they're going to be gone.

Police stations are open 24/7. March in there and get what you want, and settle for nothing less.

Stories like this make me realize why I always feel like I'm doing something immoral the times I've been in pawn shop.

I'm on edge...

Here's the number to the pawn shop he's talking about I think

F & I Pawn Shop

524 W. Houston St, Sherman, TX 75090-5820

p: 903 868 0042

Call the NRA.

The gun must reported and recorded as stolen by local law enforcement before it can be classified as such. Calling it stolen just because someone took it without your permission doesn't mean a thing. Without a formal report having been made with law enforcement, the pawn shop owner might just as well believe that you sold it to your relative, and now you're trying to get it back for free.

Now, if you reported it as stolen, get the district attorney involved if local law enforcement doesn't provide assistance. It's the responsibility of the DA to ensure that laws are enforced and your rights are protected.

And likewise, if you actually did sell the gun, or give it to someone who later pawned it, and then reported as stolen, you go to jail for filing a false report.

Quote:

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"I'll take my chances in the property hearing givin the factor that a relative of yours was the one who stole them; and if I get awarded the rifles. Then your going to have a really hard time getting them back."

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If memory serves me, he has reported the theft to local law enforcement. The guns have been placed on hold and in the quote above there is a property hearing apparently set to establish ownership. The victim and the pawn shop business owner will appear before a magistrate (JP) and each tell there side. The judge can decide in several ways. That is the law.

Okay, I see an old gun I used to own in a pawn shop, I still have my paperwork from the purchase, Taking it to the pawn shop don't mean squat. I have not proved ownership. I am trying to defraud the pawn shop. A judge will make a decision on ownership.

I don't think he is trying to fraud anyone.

I was just looking at his old posts and found where he said that the report was filed. Sounds like he just wanted to get them back promptly. But hell I can't blame him!

Deewayne did you bother to tell the owner that the weapons were reported stolen, and that he can't sell them?

Not a lawyer... but i think the same concept applies to a counterfit bill... if the bill is stolen or fake... if its in your possession it's legally not yours... so if he has the gun, its his fault for not checking the license or gun title and his arguement wouldn't hold strong in count.

problem is, you're prolly lookin at spending more in court than the $400...

definitely get the police involved and if that fails call the ATF... Don't contact the pawn owner anymore cause he'll just say he sold it

Deewayne, seek professional in person Law Enforcement advice.

As for a mob rule deal, I'd advise against that. I have never actaully had a stolen gun come in, but trying to be the devil's advocate here, if I had bought it from your "cousin" let's say, and he said he had bought it from you, then you come in and want it back.... I'd have about as much right to it as ya'll. We'd go to court.

So get the cops in there and seize the gun. Do pawn shops still have to report to local PD's and SO's? A few years ago they did. If so, it should have been cross checked there.

There's also "firearmsfax.com" for listing one....