The following is a video transcript.

Mark Edwards, Independent Program Attorney for North Carolina here. A number of members have asked me what they should do if they lose their firearm or if it is stolen from them. The simple answer is that you should contact your local police or sheriff’s department, depending on whether you live in the city or within the county.

Three Reasons To Call The Police

There are three reasons that I suggest you do that.

  • First, if you report that your firearm has been stolen or missing, and someone tries to pawn it at a pawn shop, there is a much better chance that the police will be able to return your weapon to you.
  • The second reason is if your gun is used in the commission of a crime, the police will know that you were not the one who committed that offense.
  • Finally, if someone is injured by the use of your firearm, they may try to sue you, saying that you were negligent in allowing the gun to be stolen or in losing it.

If you report the gun missing as soon as you can, it may help reduce the monetary damages that you will face or perhaps defeat their claim entirely because it shows that you acted reasonably in reporting the gun missing as soon as possible.

If you have any other questions about what to do if your firearm is lost or stolen, call U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to your Independent Program Attorney.

A gun is stolen from a responsibly armed American like you every 52 seconds. Stay one step ahead of the legal nightmare you’ll face if someone commits a crime with your stolen firearm. Call or log in to your member portal today to add Gunowner Identity Theft Coverage to your U.S. LawShield membership.